Form and Line-up Haiti
In the third stage of qualifying, Haiti were handed a fairly manageable group with Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua, in which they managed to pick up 11 points. Of course, that is a decent result for the fans, but let us be honest: the team have plenty of problems. The main one lies in defense, as the side conceded three goals twice.
The latest friendlies showed that there have been no real changes in defense. Even a frankly weak Iceland side opened up their opponents' back line (1:1). Moreover, they even took the initiative and controlled the tempo of the match. The most worrying thing is that Haiti have much stronger opponents ahead.
Key Numbers Haiti:
Haiti reached the World Cup for the first time since 1974.
They lost only once in qualifying.
In six decisive qualifying matches, they kept their opponents scoreless four times.
Probable Haiti line-up
Johny Placide - Carlens Arcus, Ricardo Ade, Hannes Delcroix, Duke Lacroix - Danley Jean Jacques, Leverton Pierre, Josue Casimir, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Ruben Providence - Wilson Isidor.
Form and Line-up Scotland
The qualifying stage ended as a real thriller for Scotland. They contested top spot in the final round in a head-to-head meeting with Denmark (4:2), scoring the decisive goal in the 93rd minute. In the other matches, Clarke's team showed their class. It is notable that they have no obvious leader. Only three players scored two goals each, but the team scored from set pieces five times.
In friendlies, Scotland lost to Japan (0:1) and Cote d'Ivoire (0:1), but in those matches the coaching staff experimented heavily with the line-up. The match against Curacao (4:1) at the end of May was more revealing: 67% possession, 11 shots on target and eight corners. That is exactly the team we will see in the opening round.
Key Numbers Scotland:
They reached the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
They finished first in their qualifying group.
In the playoff matches, they scored an average of 2.2 goals.
Probable Scotland line-up
Angus Gunn - Aaron Hickey, Grant Hanley, Scott McKenna, Andrew Robertson - Lewis Ferguson, Ben Doak, Ryan Christie, Scott McTominay, John McGinn - Che Adams.
Who will referee the match
Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
Matches: 14 (international matches, 2025–2026)
Yellow cards per match on average (including second yellows): 3.1
Fouls per match on average: 29
Matches with a red card: 2 out of 14
Matches with a penalty: 2 out of 14
Johny Placide
Carlens Arcus
Hannes Piterson Delcroix
Martin Yves Robenrns Didier Expérience
Ricardo Adé Kat
Danley Jean Jacques
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
Ruben Providence
Frantzdy Pierrot
Louicius Don Deedson
Wilson Isidor
Josué Duverger
Jean-Kévin Duverne
Keeto Thermoncy
Markhus Lacroix
Wilguens Paugain
Yassin Fortuné
Carl Sainté
Dominique Simon
Woodensky Pierre
Josué Jeremie Casimir
Lenny Alvin Pico Joseph
Derrick Burckley Etienne Jr.
Duckens Nazon
Angus Fraser James Gunn
Aaron Buchanan Hickey
Andrew Henry Robertson
Grant Campbell Hanley
Jack Hendry
Ben Gannon-Doak
John McGinn
Lewis Ferguson
Scott McTominay
Ché Adams
Lawrence Shankland
Craig Sinclair Gordon
Anthony Ralston
Dominic John Hyam
Scott Fraser McKenna
Kenneth McLean
Tyler Robert Fletcher
Lyndon John Dykes
George David Eric Hirst
Ross Cameron Stewart
