Scotland started the 2026 World Cup with their first win in a playoff in 36 years. John McGinn’s deflected shot was enough for the Tartan Army to defeat a persistently dangerous Haiti team in Boston.
For the first time since 1998, Scotland are back in the World Cup. Aston Villa midfielder McGinn tied the game after 28 minutes, when his shot from inside the box was deflected into the net. He took advantage of the rebound after Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide had saved Che Adams’ shot.
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Before McGinn’s goal, goalkeeper Scott McTominay had hit the post. Haiti, on the other hand, played far beyond expectations – they are ranked as the second-lowest-ranked team in the entire championship – and tested the nerves of Scottish fans who sat up in the middle of the night at home in the UK.
With five minutes left, Frantzdy Pierrot headed just outside the box. But Scotland persevered, and the result means they lead Group C – after the games in the group started hours earlier with a 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco.
Gannon-Doak shone in his World Cup debut
At 20 years and 214 days old, Ben Gannon-Doak became the youngest player ever to represent Scotland in a World Cup. And he showed why Bournemouth paid Liverpool £20 million for the winger in August.
On the right wing, he was a quick and annoying key. It was his cross that led to the goal, after Adams had taken down a great long pass from Grant Hanley with silky touch.
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“He’s young and fresh in his Scotland career, but he’s got so much confidence,” former England goalkeeper Joe Hart told BBC Sport. Hart knew Gannon-Doak from his time at Celtic, when the youngster was on his way up from the big club’s own youth department.
“He doesn’t care about the level. He didn’t care about that when he came to train with us either. He has so much faith in himself, and he wants to express himself,” Hart added.
Former Scotland midfielder Scott Brown praised Gannon-Doak’s positivity, awareness and run behind Haiti’s defence.
“He’s playing with them,” Brown said. “You want a Scotland player who is direct and hits balls into the box.”
Upcoming matches for Scotland and Haiti
Both teams will face tougher opposition next time: Brazil and Morocco.
– June 19: Scotland – Morocco
– June 20: Haiti – Brazil
– June 24: Scotland – Brazil
– June 24: Haiti – Morocco
Lineups
Haiti was unchanged from the team that lost 2-1 to Peru.
Haiti starting eleven: Johny Placide, Carlens Arcus, Ricardo Ade, Hannes Delcroix, Martin Experience, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Danley Jean Jacques, Louicius Deedson, Ruben Providence, Wilson Isidor, Frantzdy Pierrot
Scotland brought in McGinn from the start, while Ryan Christie was moved down to the bench.
Scotland starting eleven: Angus Gunn, Aaron Hickey, Andy Robertson, Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Lewis Ferguson, Che Adams, Ben Gannon-Doak, Lawrence Shankland
Facts about the match and the teams
“The gap of 52 years between Haiti’s first World Cup (1974) and second World Cup (2026) is the fourth longest in the history of the championship.
– Duckens Nazon scored the most goals of anyone in the CONCACAF qualifiers – six goals, including a hat-trick as a substitute against Costa Rica.
“Scotland topped a World Cup qualifying group for the first time since 1982, but have never progressed from the preliminary group stage in their eight previous World Cup appearances.
“Since the start of 2023, Scott McTominay has been directly involved in 15 goals for Scotland – at least six more than any other player.
– Steve Clarke leads Scotland to their third championship (after Euro 2020 and Euro 2024) – more than any other national team manager in Scotland’s history.
