Scotland are counting down the hours until they play their first men’s World Cup match in 28 years, with the Tartan Army’s long-awaited return against Haiti potentially crucial to their chances of getting through to the knockout stages.
Steve Clarke’s side, who sealed their qualification after a sensational win over Denmark in November, were also drawn with Brazil and Morocco in Group C – two of their opponents from the last time they played on the global stage in 1998.
Haiti are among the lowest-ranked teams at the World Cup and three points could be enough to go through as one of the best-ranked third-place sides, so Scotland’s opening game in Boston is seen as a “must-win” opportunity.
Scotland’s talisman Scott McTominay is likely to be fit after returning to training after a stomach bug, while captain Andy Robertson has urged his team to have “no regrets” following two winless appearances at European Championships in 2021 and 2024.
Can Scotland get a priceless win tonight? Follow updates from Scotland v Haiti, below
Haiti’s incredible World Cup story
Haiti qualified for their first World Cup in 52 years despite not playing a single game at home; meaning that their coach, the Frenchman Sebastien Migne, has actually never set foot in the Caribbean nation. Armed gangs have taken over the capital Port-au-Prince, displacing an estimated 1.5 million people, and a humanitarian crisis engulfs the country.
Haiti played all of their qualifiers away from home, including their ‘home’ games 500 miles away in Curacao, but overcame the odds to beat Nicaragua 2-0 in their final qualifier and join Brazil, Morocco and Scotland in Group C. All but one of Haiti’s 26-man squad plays their football outside of Haiti and Woodensky Pierre, who is based there, only received his US visa shortly before the tournament.
Fans from Haiti are banned from travelling to the United States but there is a large diaspora who will hope to roar their nation to a first ever World Cup win.
IN PICTURES: Scotland fans taking over Boston
Kick-off is edging ever closer but the Scotland fans were out on the streets of Boston from early this morning
Preview: Scotland are ready and this change can secure a new World Cup legacy
A couple of years ago, the slogan, at least outside the dressing room, was “No Scotland, no party”. Now it is different. The core of Andy Robertson’s message was “no regrets”.
No man has captained Scotland in more games, nor led them in three major tournaments. But the first two have provided disappointment. Instead of no regrets, there were no wins. Two years ago, Scotland opened Euro 2024, but it was a false start for them, walloped 5-1 by Germany. Performances were more respectable in Euro 2020 but the outcome was the same: one point apiece.
Now the objective is to go one better and win a game, to do something that has eluded every previous Scotland side and reach the knockout stages of a tournament.
Scotland’s possible line-up vs Haiti: Shankland up top?
If Steve Clarke goes for 4-4-2, this is likely the team he will go for. Angus Gunn has not played much this season but was crucial for Scotland in November. Aaron Hickey is back fit and his return is welcome. It’s a toss-up between John Souttar and Jack Hendry at centre-back, with captain Andy Robertson at left-back.
Billy Gilmour is out of the World Cup so Lewis Ferguson takes charge of midfeild, along with Scott McTominay. Ben Gannon-Doak brings pace, and John McGinn can come off the wing. It may mean Ryan Christie misses out from the start.
That’s because Lawrence Shankland is in form and Clarke has figured out a way to play the striker next to Che Adams, who can drop deeper.
Possible Scotland XI: Angus Gunn; Aaron Hickey, John Souttar, Grant Hanley, Andrew Robertson; Ben Gannon-Doak Lewis Ferguson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn; Che Adams, Lawrence Shankland
Tartan Army land in Boston
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd and former footballers James McFadden and Darren Fletcher were among the big names to arrive in Boston ahead of Scotland’s first World Cup in 28 years.
A host of celebrities and the Tartan Army have arrived in the Massachusetts capital with celebrations already beginning ahead of the team’s first match.
Actor Gerard Butler and singer Clare Grogan were among other famous guests who were greeted by a piper as they arrived at a Scottish Night in Boston Dinner and Gala Event at the Royale in Boston.
Scotland v Haiti: Don’t forget the game is tonight!
Kick-off time is 9pm ET on Saturday 13 June, in Boston!
In the UK, kick-off is 2am BST on Sunday 14 June.
You want to make sure you get that right.
Viewers in the UK can watch the game for free on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 1.10am BST, or stream it live on BBC iPlayer.
Viewers in the US can watch the game on Fox.
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Andy Robertson: Scotland squad ‘like Christmas Eve’ before World Cup return
Scotland captain Andy Robertson said the mood around the squad was like “Christmas Eve” ahead of their World Cup return against Haiti tonight.
Speaking to BBC Sport last night, the Scotland captain said: “We’re on the eve of it and in the team hotel it feels like Christmas Eve when you’re a little kid. It’s an incredible stadium, an incredible thing to be part of.
“I’m just so proud of everyone, all 26 who are going to be able to participate. We’ve been through so much in our lives and careers to be able to be here at this point and we’re now right on the edge of it.
“It just feels so special and it feels the Denmark game was an age ago and we’ve waited so long for it and tomorrow’s so close. All the preparation’s done and we’re ready to go.”
World Cup third-place rankings explained: Is one win enough to qualify?
The format of the Euros gives us a bit of a clue. Four points (so one win, a draw and a defeat) is almost guaranteed to be enough. But, no, one win on its own is sometimes not enough to go through.
At Euro 2016, third-placed sides Turkey and Albania were eliminated on three points despite both winning one of their games and losing the other two.
At Euro 2020, Finland and Slovakia both finished third in their group with one win and two defeats, but three points was not enough to qualify.
And in Euro 2024, Hungary were eliminated on three points while Slovenia did ‘a Portugal’ and advanced despite three draws and zero wins.
The magic number for progress is therefore likely to be three points, plus a goal difference of at least -1 – the higher, the better, obviously.
Scotland’s pre-World Cup form: Goals, goals, goals!
Scotland warmed up for the World Cup by scoring four goals in back-to-back games.
A 4-1 victory over 10-player Curacao at Hampden sent Scotland off to the United States in style, where they also beat Bolivia 4-0 in their final game before the big-kick.
Lawrence Shankland scored twice against Curacao, with youngster Findlay Curtis getting on the scoresheet too. Shankland scored again in the win over Boliva, while Che Adams got himself a brace.
Unlike their previous two major tournament appearances, Scotland’s forwards have found some form…
