Denmark v Scotland: How have Scotland fared in the opening games of World Cup qualifying since 2000?

Scotland travel to Copenhagen to take on Denmark in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday night.

The Scots have not qualified for the finals of the competition since 1998.

Here, we take a look at the opening matches in every World Cup qualifying campaign since then.

2002

Neil McCann scored a late winner against Latvia. SNS Group

Scotland began their 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign on September 2, 2000, winning 1-0 in Latvia with Neil McCann scoring an 89th-minute winner for Craig Brown’s side. Belgium, Croatia, Latvia and San Marino were also in the smaller five-team group, which turned into a three-way battle between Croatia, Scotland and Belgium.

Scotland finished third, two points behind Belgium and three behind Croatia. Brown stepped down in October 2001 after an inconsequential 2-1 win over Latvia at Hampden Park.

2006

Scotland couldn't find a goal against Slovenia in 2004. — Scotland couldn’t find a goal against Slovenia in 2004. SNS Group

In the 2006 Germany World Cup qualifiers, Scotland were drawn in six-team Group 5 which also included Belarus, Italy, Moldova, Norway and Slovenia.

On September 8, 2004, Scotland, managed by Berti Vogts, began the campaign with a goalless draw against Slovenia at Hampden Park. Again, the Scots finished third in their section, five points behind Norway and 10 behind Italy.

2010

Macedonia's Ilco Naumoski scored the only goal of the game in 2008. — Macedonia’s Ilco Naumoski scored the only goal of the game in 2008. SNS Group

Scotland were drawn in a five-team Group 9 for the 2010 qualifiers which had a place at the South Africa finals at stake. The section, which had one team fewer than the other eight, included Netherlands, Norway, Iceland and Macedonia.

On September 6, 2008, George Burley’s side began their campaign with a 1-0 defeat away to Macedonia with Ilco Naumoski scoring after only five minutes. Yet again, the Scots finished third in the group, behind Norway on goal difference and 10 behind Netherlands who won eight out of eight.

2014

In their bid to reach the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, the Scots had to negotiate their way out of a six-team Group A which also comprised Belgium, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Wales.

However, on September 8, 2012, Craig Levein’s men could only record a goalless draw against Serbia at Hampden Park, followed up by a 1-1 draw at home to Macedonia three days later.

Scotland finished fourth in the table behind Serbia, Croatia and Belgium, who finished 15 points clear of the Dark Blues.

2018

Scotland were placed in Group F for the 2018 Russia World Cup qualifiers alongside England, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta.

Gordon Strachan’s side began the campaign on September 4, 2016, with an encouraging 5-1 win in Malta. Robert Snodgrass helped himself to a hat-trick and Chris Martin and Steven Fletcher also scored.

Scotland lost 3-0 against the Auld Enemy at Wembley but in the return game at Hampden Park fought out a 2-2 with England, as Leigh Griffiths’ famous free-kick double put Scotland ahead before Harry Kane’s late leveller.

Ultimately, the Scots finished third behind Slovakia, with group winners England eight points clear.

2022

John McGinn's spectacular goal salvaged a point against Austria. — John McGinn’s spectacular goal salvaged a point against Austria. SNS Group

The Scots were again placed in Group F for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers along with Austria, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Israel and Moldova.

On March 25, 2021, Steve Clarke’s men fought out a 2-2 draw home to Austria at Hampden Park, having to come from behind twice to grab a point. Scotland defender Grant Hanley scored his first international goal in eight years to cancel out Sasa Kalajdzic’s opener, but the Austria hitman restored the visitors’ lead with a header before a spectacular overhead-kick by John McGinn restored parity.

The Scots kicked on and after just one defeat in 10 fixtures they finished second in the table, four points behind Denmark. However, a 3-1 defeat by Ukraine in the play-off semi-final at Hampden Park dashed dreams of getting to Qatar.