Scotland began their World Cup 2026 marketing campaign with their first win on the finals in 36 years as John McGinn’s deflected strike proved sufficient for the Tartan Military to beat a persistently threatening Haiti aspect in Boston.
On their return to the event for the primary time since 1998, Aston Villa midfielder McGinn’s effort from contained in the field was deflected in for the Twenty eighth-minute winner, pouncing after goalkeeper Johny Placide had turned away Che Adams’ shot on an emotional night time for Steve Clarke’s aspect and their followers.
A objective for Scotland. A objective for ALL OF SCOTLAND! 🏴🏴🏴
John McGinn fires his nation forward towards Haiti! #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2otuUub0oh
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 14, 2026
The prolific Scott McTominay shot towards a submit earlier than McGinn’s objective, whereas Haiti belied their standing because the second-lowest ranked crew on the finals in a recreation to fray the nerves of supporters sacrificing sleep to observe the sport in the midst of the night time within the UK.
Frantzdy Pierrot powered a header narrowly broad for The Grenadiers with 5 minutes remaining, however Scotland held on for a end result which means they high Group C after one recreation for every of the 4 groups of their part, which started hours earlier with a 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco in New Jersey.
Scotland vs Haiti evaluation: Gannon-Doak shines at World Cup
At 20 years and 214 days of age, Ben Gannon-Doak grew to become the youngest participant to seem for Scotland on the World Cup and confirmed why Bournemouth paid Liverpool an preliminary £20 million for the winger final August.
A fleet-footed nuisance on the proper, Gannon-Doak’s cross led to the objective following Adams’ silky contact to convey down Grant Hanley’s arced go from inside his personal half.
“He’s a younger man and new in his Scotland profession however he’s obtained a lot confidence,” former England goalkeeper Joe Hart informed BBC Sport, explaining that he knew Gannon-Doak from his time at Celtic when the prospect was rising from the Scottish giants’ youth ranks.
“He doesn’t care what the extent is. He didn’t care when he got here and educated with us. He had a lot perception and needed to precise himself.”
Ex-Scotland midfielder Scott Brown praised Gannon-Doak’s positivity, consciousness and runs behind Haiti’s defence.
“He’s taking part in video games with them,” mentioned Brown. “You desire a Scotland participant to be direct and put balls within the field.”
Scotland, Haiti World Cup 2026 fixtures, schedule
Each groups are more likely to face stiffer assessments subsequent, taking over document five-time champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco.
Right here’s how the remaining fixtures within the group look. Asterisk denotes match happening yesterday in that territory.
| Date | Opponents | Begin time (BST) | ET | PT |
| June 19 | Scotland vs Morocco | 23:00 | 18:00 | 15:00 |
| June 20 | Haiti vs Brazil | 01:30 | 20:30* | 17:30* |
| June 24 | Scotland vs Brazil | 23:00 | 18:00 | 15:00 |
| June 24 | Haiti vs Morocco | 23:00 | 18:00 | 15:00 |
World Cup 2026: Haiti crew vs Scotland
Haiti have been unchanged from their 2-1 defeat to Peru in Florida on June 6.
Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner and Lugano defender Hannes Delcroix each began taking part in for Haiti earlier than the third and remaining qualifying spherical, and Sunderland ahead Wilson Isidor has joined their ranks since then.
Haiti beginning XI: Johny Placide, Carlens Arcus, Ricardo Ade, Hannes Delcroix, Martin Expertise, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Danley Jean Jacques, Louicius Deedson, Ruben Windfall, Wilson Isidor, Frantzdy Pierrot
Haiti substitutes: Alexandre Pierre, Josue Duverger, Keeto Thermoncy, Markhus Lacroix, Garven Metusala, Jean-Kevin Duverne, Wilguens Paugain, Carl Sainte, Dominique Simon, Woodensky Pierre, Derrick Etienne, Duckens Nazon, Lenny Joseph, Yassin Fortune, Josue Casimir
Simply hearken to this… 🥹
Goosebumps because the Scotland followers belt out Flower of Scotland on the World Cup 🏴 🎶 #BBCFootball #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/zChW8Py614
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) June 14, 2026
World Cup 2026: Scotland crew vs Haiti
Scotland introduced in McGinn from their 4-0 win towards Bolivia in Harrison eight days in the past, with Ryan Christie transferring to the bench.
Tyler Fletcher is a part of the squad after being known as as much as exchange Billy Gilmour when the midfielder suffered a knee harm throughout the win over Curacao on Might 30.
Craig Gordon returned from a shoulder harm in Might and the 43-year-old performed the primary half towards Curacao however didn’t begin this time.
Defender Scott McKenna was out with a calf harm that was anticipated to be short-term and Middlesbrough ahead Tommy Conway will miss the finals with an ankle downside.
Southampton striker Ross Stewart has been part of Scotland’s squad for the primary time since 2022, having suffered a string of significant accidents between his earlier worldwide look and January this 12 months.
Scotland beginning XI: Angus Gunn, Aaron Hickey, Andy Robertson, Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Lewis Ferguson, Che Adams, Ben Gannon-Doak, Lawrence Shankland
Scotland substitutes: Liam Kelly, Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, John Souttar, Dominic Hyam, Nathan Patterson, Anthony Ralston, Scott McKenna, Tyler Fletcher, Ryan Christie, Kenny McLean, Lyndon Dykes, Ross Stewart, George Hirst, Findlay Curtis
World Cup 2026: Haiti vs Scotland stats
- The 52-year-gap between Haiti’s and Congo DR’s first look (1974) and second look (2026) on the World Cup is the fourth-longest in event historical past, behind Wales (64 years, between 1958 and 2022), Egypt (56 years, between 1934 and 1990) and Norway (56 years, between 1938 and 1994)
- Amongst sides to play 10 video games in CONCACAF qualifying, solely Bermuda (31) and Nicaragua (16) conceded extra objectives than Haiti (13), in addition to delivery the third-largest quantity of anticipated objectives (11.7)
- No participant scored extra objectives within the marketing campaign than Haiti’s Duckens Nazon (6), together with a hat-trick after approaching as a sub towards Costa Rica in September
- Sebastien Migne would be the second individual to teach Haiti at a World Cup after Antoine Tassy and the primary non-Haitian to take action
- The Frenchman’s solely earlier expertise at a serious worldwide competitors got here on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with Kenya (W1 L2) and with Haiti on the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup (D1 L2)
- Scotland topped a World Cup qualifying group for the primary time since 1982 however have didn’t advance from the primary spherical in any of their earlier eight appearances on the finals
- Together with EURO appearances, Scotland have didn’t surpass the opening spherical in any of their 12 earlier makes an attempt at main competitions
- That they had the bottom objective distinction (+6 – 13 scored, 7 conceded) amongst all immediately certified sides in European qualifying, in addition to the bottom distinction between anticipated objectives and anticipated objectives conceded (+0.8 – 9.4 xG, 8.6 xG towards)
- Because the begin of 2023, Scott McTominay has been immediately concerned in 15 objectives for Scotland in all competitions (13 objectives, 2 assists), which is at the least six greater than some other participant (John McGinn is subsequent, with 9)
- Steve Clarke is main Scotland to a 3rd main event following EURO 2020 and EURO 2024, which is greater than some other head coach for the nationwide crew
