All six qualifying matches will take place over the coming months, with automatic qualification and play-off spots to be determined by November.
In the previous World Cup qualifying campaign, Scotland’s only defeat was against Denmark in Copenhagen, which saw the Danes top the group by four points. As runners-up, manager Steve Clarke’s side were subsequently eliminated in a play-off semi-final at home to Ukraine.
Clarke admits the new group is challenging and predicts a tight race between what he called “three good sides.”
“Denmark are obviously an established pot one team. They’ve been known to get to the later stages of tournaments,” he said.
He described Greece as a skilled opponent on an upward trajectory, calling them “one of the more difficult pot two teams,” while also identifying Belarus as a “strong pot four team.” Clarke believes it is a tough section where any team can take points from another.
“It’s another opportunity. It’s a tournament we haven’t been at for a long, long time,” he added. “We believe that this group of players and this group of coaches can deliver, so that’s what we have to try and do.”
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