Haiti will host Scotland to open Group C play at Boston Stadium.
This is the first match that Haiti and Scotland will play against each other. Haiti has played a European nation on five occasions, securing one win, two draws, and two losses. Scotland has played Concacaf nations 15 times, recording eight wins, three draws, and four losses.
Haiti's most recent match against European competition was a 1-1 draw against Iceland in March 2026. Scotland faced Curacao in May in a World Cup tune-up match as it secured a 4-1 win over the Concacaf nation.
This is Haiti's first World Cup appearance since its inaugural entry in 1974. Scotland last appeared in a World Cup in 1998.
Haiti has the most local ties thanks to the vibrant Haitian diaspora community in Massachusetts. Haitians make up the third-largest foreign-born group in Boston, according to Global Boston. Massachusetts as a whole also has the third-largest Haitian population.
Haiti hasn't hosted an international match in the country since 2021. The nation has been reeling with gang violence ever since the assaination of president Jovenel Moïse.
In March 2024, Haiti's long-standing national stadium, the Stade Sylvio Cator, was overtaken by gangs, with the Haitian federation putting out a statement confirming it had been taken over. That same year, planes were shot at when trying to land in the nation which led to a flight ban from the United States Federal Aviation Administration.
And these Massachusetts residents have someone to cheer on who played soccer in the Commonwealth. Frantzdy Pierrot played high school soccer in Melrose and played collegiately at Northeastern. He has made 51 appearances for Haiti with 34 goals to his name.
Duckens Nazon is the current leading goalscorer for the nation. The forward has 44 goals in 76 appearances.
"Obviously we watched Haiti very closely over the last six months since the draw was made," Scotland head coach Steve Clarke said. "We respect their abilities on the pitch. I think since they qualified they've improved the squad. They have very dynamic players, especially the attacking players, so we have to be careful."
Haiti is captained by Johny Placide. The goalkeeper plays club soccer in France and has made 82 appearances for the CONCACAF nation.
Carlens Arcus is another player to watch after having an impressive season in France's Ligue 1.
While Haiti not have the big names that Scotland has, head coach Sebastien Migne is looking for his players to leave their mark on the tournament, This could include potentially scoring Haiti's first-ever point in a World Cup.
"Maybe my players are less well known but I say that what matters is the trace you leave," Migne said. "We hope by the end of the tournament we can leave our mark in this competition."
For Scotland, Scott McTominay is the man who stirs the drink in the midfield. The midfielder has seen his career reach the next level after leaving Manchester United for Napoli. McTominay has made 70 appearances with 15 goals to his name.
"Scott has probably been our main man the last couple of years, but he wouldn't see it as that," Captain Andy Robertson told the media. "He would give other people credit so I think I have to focus on the squad. I think it's the most quality we've had in the Scottish squad in a long time, and I think we have to focus on that.
"Hopefully Scotty along the way can produce big moments for us as well, and hopefully others can as well, because that's what we need," he added.
There were concerns about McTominay's health as he missed a training session due to stomach issues but he trained with the squad on Friday. Clarke told media that he is "good to go".
43-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon also made the squad and is joined by veterans such as Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney. Additionally, John McGinn adds some valuable experience in the midfield.
For Robertson, this is a big moment. With Scotland's world cup drought, he hopes to inspire the next generation and give Scotland something to be proud of.
"I just hope that we can maybe inspire the next generation, because this is obviously on the world stage," Robertson told media. "We see back home how excited kids are, how excited parents are, how excited grandparents are. That's what you need. That's what you want."
