After a 28-year wait, Scotland kick off their World Cup campaign against Haiti, knowing three points could prove vital in their bid to reach the knockout stages.
It’s Scotland’s first time back at a World Cup since France 98. For Haiti, it’s their second time on the biggest stage, the last appearance being in 1974.
Haiti currently sit 83rd in the Fifa World Rankings. Their road to the World Cup was strong, topping Group C with three wins and two draws in their 6 match CONCAF qualifying campaign. And due to ongoing circumstances, the Caribbean side didn’t play a single fixture of those on home soil.
They also impressed against New Zealand in a recent warm-up match, winning 4-0, although they followed up with a 2-1 defeat to Peru in their last friendly fixture.
Scotland head into this match full of confidence after scoring eight goals in their last two friendlies, winning 4-1 against Curaçao and 4-0 versus Bolivia.
Scotland have never progressed past the group stage in a World Cup competition. However, a win in the early hours of Sunday morning will give Steve Clarke’s side a massive boost in making history.
Scott McTominay is fit for Scotland’s opener after missing training on Thursday due to an upset stomach. However, Scott McKenna misses out through a calf injury.
Billy Gilmour has travelled to camp to support his teammates after his World Cup hopes were destroyed due to injury against Curaçao.
Speaking before the match, Steve Clarke said: “We know it’s going to be a difficult game.
“It’s the first time in 28 years that we’ve been here, and Haiti haven’t been here since 1974. They are also a proud nation, and they are going to be 100 percent committed, the same as we are.
“We know they have qualities which could cause us problems, but we have to deal with those problems and then we have to bring our best game to the pitch when we have the ball. Hopefully that’s enough to win the game.”
With Brazil and Morocco to come, Scotland know that a win against Haiti could be monumental in their quest to reach the knockout stages.
