1978 FIFA World Cup qualification 723 goals were scored (an average of 2.87 per match). To see the dates and results of the qualification rounds for each continental zone, click on the following articles: The teams would play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The winner would qualify. <onlyinclude> </onlyinclude> The following 16 teams qualified for the 1978 FIFA World Cup: (h) - qualified automatically as hosts (c) - qualified automatically as defending champions "5 of the 16 teams subsequently failed to qualify for the 1982 finals: Iran, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia." 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification A total of 107 teams entered
Scotland at the FIFA World Cup Costa Rica, Sweden, and Brazil, but the Scots lost 1–0 to Costa Rica. While they recovered to beat Sweden 2–1 in their second game, they lost to Brazil in their third match 1–0 and were once again eliminated after the first round. Goalkeeper Jim Leighton fumbled a shot that allowed Brazil to score the only goal. Craig Brown guided Scotland to qualification for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, finishing as the best runners-up. Scotland were drawn against holders Brazil in the opening game of the World Cup. John Collins scored from the penalty spot to level the score at 1–1,