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Scotland’s qualification for the knockout stages remains uncertain — and even if they manage to go through, they will have to wait several days before finding out when and where their next match will take place.

The Tartan Army now faces a tense wait to see how the remaining groups at this World Cup conclude — with the possibility of having to make hasty travel arrangements if their team secures a place in the round of 32.

Scotland’s advancement is far from guaranteed. According to Opta’s calculations before their match, a three-goal loss to Brazil would leave them with a 49.2% probability of qualifying as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Steve Clarke’s men ended third in Group C, finishing with a goal difference of minus three.

This means Scotland now require at least four of the remaining 12 third-placed teams to collect fewer points, or to end up tied with them on three points but with a worse goal difference.

If goal difference fails to separate the teams, the number of goals scored will be considered next, followed by the fair play (team conduct) ranking, and finally the FIFA world rankings.

One of the available spots has already been claimed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, who came third in Group B with four points.

However, even Bosnia and Herzegovina are still uncertain about their next opponents due to the complex system FIFA uses to determine fixtures in the round of 32.

While group winners and runners-up know in advance which fixture slot, date, and venue they will occupy, the same clarity does not apply to third-placed teams.

We will not know for sure where the third-placed teams fit into the knockout bracket until all 12 groups have completed their matches.

This is because FIFA must ensure that no team faces an opponent they have already met in the group stage. Therefore, the final allocation of fixtures is only confirmed once all eight qualifying third-placed teams are determined.

The final round of group matches is scheduled for Saturday, June 27.

If Scotland manage to qualify, they could return to Boston to face Germany on Monday, June 29 — leaving them with only two days to prepare after learning their next opponents.

Alternatively, they might head to the MetLife Stadium, located just outside New York City, to battle the Group I winners — likely either France or Norway — on Tuesday, June 30.

Another possible scenario could see them travel to Kansas City to face the Group K winners — either Colombia or Portugal — on Friday, July 3.