Scotland’s World Cup Qualifier Against Belarus: How to Watch, Listen, and Follow Live

Scotland's quest for a spot in the 2026 World Cup continues as they face Belarus in a crucial Group C qualifier. With the match being held at a neutral venue in Hungary, here’s how you can follow all the action across BBC platforms.

Match Details:

Teams: Belarus vs. Scotland

Venue: ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary

Date: Monday, September 8, 2025

Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Why Hungary?

The match is not taking place in Belarus due to a Uefa ban on the country staging games on their own soil. This sanction stems from Belarus's support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, the Belarusian FA had to find an alternative venue, selecting Zalaegerszeg in Hungary.

Zalaegerszeg, located approximately 227km from Budapest, has become a temporary home for Belarus's international fixtures. Intriguingly, all three matches Belarus has played at this venue have ended in draws, adding an element of unpredictability to the upcoming clash with Scotland.

How to Watch on TV:

For viewers in Scotland, the game will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland, BBC Three, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app. Coverage begins at 19:30 BST, offering comprehensive pre-match analysis and build-up.

Jonathan Sutherland will anchor the TV coverage, joined by former Scotland internationals Scott Brown and Neil McCann. Commentary will be provided by Liam McLeod, with additional insights from James McFadden and Steven Thompson, who will be on-site in Zalaegerszeg.

The BBC’s broadcast deal includes a commitment to show 14 live Scotland matches, with this World Cup qualifier being a key fixture. The coverage extends beyond the final whistle, with post-match discussion, analysis, and reactions continuing on iPlayer and online until 22:00 BST.

How to Listen on Radio:

If you prefer to listen to the match, BBC Radio Scotland Extra and BBC Sounds will provide full live Sportsound commentary. The radio broadcast kicks off at 19:00 BST, featuring Kenny Macintyre hosting the show with studio guests including former Scotland centre-back Willie Miller and Tom English. Michael Stewart will join commentator Alasdair Lamont in Hungary to provide additional analysis.

Online Coverage:

For those who prefer to follow the game online, the BBC Scotland website and app will offer live text coverage, including real-time goal clips and expert analysis from both Zalaegerszeg and Glasgow. Fans can also participate by sharing their views and rating the players after the match.

Scotland's Path to the 2026 World Cup:

The qualifying format sees four teams competing in a group, each playing six matches. The team that finishes top of the group by mid-November will automatically qualify for the World Cup draw in December.

For Scotland, this means outperforming Denmark, Greece, and Belarus. Finishing second in the group still offers a potential route to the finals. The 12 group runners-up, along with the four best Nations League group winners who did not finish in the top two, will be drawn into four paths. Each path will feature a single-leg semi-final and a final to determine which team advances.

2026 World Cup Details:

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11 in Mexico City and conclude on July 19 in New Jersey. Expanding to include 48 teams for the first time, the tournament will span a record 39 days. The new format will consist of 12 four-team groups followed by a last-32 knockout round.