Scotland prepares to face Brazil as Ben Gannon-Doak returns, Aaron Hickey ruled out

Scotland has confirmed that Ben Gannon-Doak will start against Brazil, marking a significant lineup change as the national team prepares for one of its biggest fixtures in recent memory.

Aaron Hickey, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the match entirely.

What we know about the lineup

Gannon-Doak’s inclusion in the starting eleven signals a shift in Scotland’s tactical approach. The young winger gets the nod after previously featuring as a substitute in Scotland’s 1-0 defeat to Morocco.

Hickey’s absence at right-back creates a gap that manager Steve Clarke will need to address. The injury was sustained during training, though Hickey is projected to recover in time for potential knockout stages if Scotland progresses.

The Group C match against Brazil is Scotland’s final group stage fixture, meaning the outcome will directly determine whether Scotland advances. Scotland has not appeared in the World Cup since 1954.

Why this matters

Brazil fixtures don’t come around often for Scotland. Steve Clarke has faced scrutiny over his tactical decisions but is planning to leverage Gannon-Doak’s attacking prowess to challenge the Brazilian defense, prioritizing attacking intent over a more conservative setup.

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