Scotland take on Haiti tonight in their opening fixture of the 2026 World Cup. It is a first appearance on football's biggest stage for the Tartan Army since 1998, when they lost all three matches en route to a demoralising early exit from France.
However, a remarkable 4-2 home win over Denmark in November secured Scotland's return to the finals. They will be confident of progressing past the group stage for the very first time at the ninth attempt, having also failed to reach the knockout rounds in back-to-back European Championship outings in 2020 and 2024.
Only 16 teams being eliminated at the first hurdle from an inaugural expanded 48-team format means that Steve Clarke's side could all-but secure that knockout berth early with a win over Haiti. This would ease the pressure significantly ahead of far more high-profile contests against Morocco and Brazil, both of whom beat them at France 98.
Haiti have qualified for the World Cup for only the second time in their history, having previously been at the 1974 edition in West Germany, where they finished winless and bottom of their group. Les Grenadiers couldn't have asked for a much tougher group this time around, containing the belatedly-crowned African champions and record five-time World Cup winners. Head coach Sebastien Migne will also be viewing this match at Boston (Gillette) Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts as likely their best chance for three points.
Led by the likes of Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor and Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Haiti are targeting an upset. However, their chances of pulling it off have been hampered by key man Scott McTominay recovering from illness in time to be passed fit for their opponents.
How to watch Scotland vs Haiti
TV channel: In the UK, Scotland vs Haiti is being broadcast live and free-to-air on the BBC. Coverage begins at 1:10am BST on BBC One, following the conclusion of the Group C curtain-raiser between Brazil and Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Live stream: The game is also available to watch live and for free online via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
Live blog: Follow all the action with Standard Sport's live blog, with insight and analysis from Arthur Ferridge at Boston Stadium.
