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
Read MoreScotland are ready and this change can secure a new World Cup legacy
Group C guide: Scotland’s return sparks Brazil and Morocco nostalgia
World Cup third-place rankings explained: Is one win enough to qualify?
Scotland v Haiti LIVE: Latest World Cup updates
- Scotland return to World Cup for first time in 28 years | Kick-off 2am BST, live on BBC
- Tartan Army begin first World Cup since 1998 against Haiti in must-win Group C clash
- Scotland also face Brazil and Morocco, both opponents in 1998, at this World Cup
- Team news: Scott McTominay decision after talisman hit by stomach bug this week
- Preview: Scotland are ready and this change can secure a new World Cup legacy
Andy Robertson: Scotland squad 'like Christmas Eve' before World Cup return
21:51 , Jamie BraidwoodScotland 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?
21:29 , Jamie BraidwoodThe 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.
World Cup third-place rankings explained: Is one win enough to qualify?
Scotland's pre-World Cup form: Goals, goals, goals!
21:08 , Jamie BraidwoodScotland 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...
Scotland's talent to watch: Ben Gannon Doak
20:46 , Jamie BraidwoodThe winger made a huge difference for Scotland in World Cup qualifying, injecting a raw ability to beat a man out wide into a team that is often painfully one-paced. That Gannon Doak has barely played since the win over Denmark due to a hamstring injury, and only returned to action for Bournemouth shortly before the end of the season, could be an issue.
Scotland's star player: Scott McTominay
20:25 , Jamie BraidwoodThe glow-up since moving to Napoli has been wonderful. A scudetto-winning legend in Naples, nominated for last season’s Ballon d’Or, McTominay has developed an aura that brings genuine hope to the Tartan Army.
The overhead kick against Denmark will be replayed over and over, but we’ll take a tap-in in the USA. Either way, his ability to arrive into the box and produce a decisive moment could be crucial to getting through.
CHOOSE SCOTLAND 🏴🏆@ScotlandNT @LewisCapaldi pic.twitter.com/p31LR5QjjE
— adidas UK (@adidasUK) June 12, 2026
Can Scotland escape its World Cup group?
20:02 , Jamie BraidwoodPredict the winner of Scotland's group stage matches....
World Cup 2026 – Group C guide
19:40 , Jamie BraidwoodAre you all ready to party like it’s 1998? Scotland’s men are making their long-awaited return to a World Cup and the Tartan Army will be reunited with two of their group stage opponents from 28 years ago in Brazil and Morocco. Fancy that.
Haiti also join the fun and will be making just their second World Cup appearance, as well as their first since 1974. The Caribbean nation are first up for Steve Clark’s side, whose hopes of becoming the first Scotland team to advance from a group stage of a major tournament could rest on that opening clash in Foxborough. Ooft.
Group C, after all, is the only pool at this expanded World Cup to feature two top-10 nations in Brazil, the record five-time champions, and Morocco, the (massive asterisk) African champions and World Cup semi-finalists from four years ago. It’s a belter of a group.
World Cup 2026 – Group C guide: Scotland’s return sparks Brazil and Morocco nostalgia
Scotland's previous tournament openers: Germany humbling
19:17 , Jamie BraidwoodScotland returned to full crowds at Euro 2024, with the Tartan Army travelling to Germany in their thousands in a memorable tournament... off the pitch.
On it, Scotland were dire, perhaps the worst side at the Euros. Things got off to a bad start when they faced Germany in Munich, going down to 10 men early on and losing 5-1 to the hosts.
“Don’t get humped,” Steve Clarke replied when asked what he learned from that one...
IN PICTURES: Scotland fans taking over Boston
19:06 , Luke BakerThe Tartan Army travel well and, after 28 years since their last World Cup, they’re unsurprisingly out in force in the US.
Boston has become a sea of Saltires, even though we’re still seven hours away from kick-off.
Scotland's previous tournament openers: Hampden defeat
18:55 , Jamie BraidwoodScotland made their return to a major men’s tournament when they played Czech Republic at Hampden in their opening match of Euro 2020, in front of a crowd limited by the after-effects of the Covid pandemic.
And Scotland’s return fell a little flat, losing to the Czechs 2-0. That match is best remembered by Patrik Schick’s goal from the halfway line, which beat the unfortunate David Marshall.
Kenny McLean got his own back a few years later....
Scotland's Steve Clarke on respecting 'attacking, dynamic' Haiti
18:33 , Jamie BraidwoodScotland have been warned that they can’t take Haiti lightly before meeting in Boston tonight. Haiti are one of the lowest-ranked sides at the tournament, but Scotland can hardly afford to be dismissive of anyone...
“It's important we respect the opposition, make sure we're properly prepared, we play to the best of our ability and see what the result is,” Steve Clarke said.
“We've watched Haiti very closely, we respect their abilities on the pitch. Since they've qualified, they've improved the squad.
“We think we know how they'll play. We think we know their system. They have very dynamic players, especially the attacking players so we have to be careful.”
Preview: Scotland are ready and this change can secure a new World Cup legacy
18:17 , Richard Jolly in BostonA 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 are ready and this change can secure a new World Cup legacy
Scotland's possible line-up vs Haiti: Shankland up top?
18:05 , Jamie BraidwoodIf 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
Scotland's team news: Scott McTominay set to be fit for opener
18:03 , Jamie BraidwoodSteve Clarke said Scott McTominay would be available after an upset stomach but central defender Scott McKenna was out with a calf injury. On McTominay, Clarke said the Napoli midfielder was “perfect” and confirmed he was “ready to go”.
Scotland v Haiti: Don't forget the game is tonight!
18:01 , Jamie BraidwoodKick-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.
Is Scotland vs Haiti on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch World Cup game
Good evening and welcome
18:00 , Jamie BraidwoodThe countdown is on as Scotland build up to their long-awaited World Cup opener against Haiti in Boston.
The Tartan Army are back on the men’s World Cup stage for the first time since 1998, and they have been immediately thrust into a must-win game.
Group C is difficult, with Brazil and Morocco also opponents, so Scotland’s opener in Boston in a golden opportunity to get three points on the board.
One win, with the right goal difference, could be enough to qualify for the knockout stages at this 48-team World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Scotland have never, in their history, made it out of a group stage at a men’s major tournament. Kick off is at 2am in the UK, but Scotland’s return will be worth the wait.
