John McGinn scored Scotland’s first goal at a World Cup in almost 28 years to put the Tartan Army ahead against dangerous Haiti in their opener at the 2026 finals in Boston on Sunday.
Returning midfielder McGinn’s strike from inside the box deflected in after Che Adams had controlled Grant Hanley’s lofted pass beautifully to start the move and forced a save from Johny Placide on Scotland’s return to a tournament they last played at in 1998, exiting the group stage without a win.
A goal for Scotland. A goal for ALL OF SCOTLAND! 🏴🏴🏴
John McGinn fires his nation ahead against Haiti! #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2otuUub0oh
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 14, 2026
“It’s a country that’s been on the outside looking in for too long, denied access to the mother of all parties,” commentator Liam McLeod said on BBC Sport.
“But suddenly, almost three decades in the doldrums vanquished in an instant. That is a goal a nation has craved.”
World Cup 2026: How ‘exquisite’ Adams touch led to goal
Prolific Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay shot against a post earlier in an entertaining half featuring chances for both sides, who knew victory would send them top of the group after one game for each of the four teams in the section.
“The goal is all about Che Adams,” said former Scotland forward and assistant coach James McFadden.
“It’s a wonderful, absolutely exquisite first touch that allows the attack to be built. Ben Gannon-Doak uses his pace and sends a dangerous ball in again. It was a good save… but the touch from Adams is outstanding.
“I know it’s late [in the UK] and a lot of people – especially young people – are staying up to watch it. But that’s why you do it, for moments like that.”
Both teams had a water break shortly before the 28th-minute goal. “I just wonder if, in that little break, [Scotland coach] Steve Clarke’s asked for more direct balls in behind, because there have been a lot in front,” said McFadden.
“Being a little bit more direct puts Haiti under pressure defensively.”
Hours earlier, Brazil and Morocco shared a 1-1 draw in New Jersey in the first match of the tournament in Group C.
World Cup 2026: Haiti team vs Scotland
Haiti were unchanged from their 2-1 defeat to Peru in Florida on June 6.
Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner and Lugano defender Hannes Delcroix both started playing for Haiti before the third and final qualifying round, and Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor has joined their ranks since then.
Haiti starting XI: Johny Placide, Carlens Arcus, Ricardo Ade, Hannes Delcroix, Martin Experience, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Danley Jean Jacques, Louicius Deedson, Ruben Providence, Wilson Isidor, Frantzdy Pierrot
Haiti substitutes: Alexandre Pierre, Josue Duverger, Keeto Thermoncy, Markhus Lacroix, Garven Metusala, Jean-Kevin Duverne, Wilguens Paugain, Carl Sainte, Dominique Simon, Woodensky Pierre, Derrick Etienne, Duckens Nazon, Lenny Joseph, Yassin Fortune, Josue Casimir
Just listen to this… 🥹
Goosebumps as the Scotland fans belt out Flower of Scotland at the World Cup 🏴 🎶 #BBCFootball #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/zChW8Py614
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) June 14, 2026
World Cup 2026: Scotland team vs Haiti
Scotland brought in McGinn from their 4-0 win against Bolivia in Harrison eight days ago, with Ryan Christie moving to the bench.
Tyler Fletcher is part of the squad after being called up to replace Billy Gilmour when the midfielder suffered a knee injury during the win over Curacao on May 30.
Craig Gordon returned from a shoulder injury in May and the 43-year-old played the first half against Curacao but did not start this time.
Defender Scott McKenna was out with a calf injury that was expected to be short-term and Middlesbrough forward Tommy Conway will miss the finals with an ankle problem.
Southampton striker Ross Stewart has been a part of Scotland’s squad for the first time since 2022, having suffered a string of serious injuries between his previous international appearance and January this year.
Scotland starting XI: Angus Gunn, Aaron Hickey, Andy Robertson, Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Lewis Ferguson, Che Adams, Ben Gannon-Doak, Lawrence Shankland
Scotland substitutes: Liam Kelly, Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, John Souttar, Dominic Hyam, Nathan Patterson, Anthony Ralston, Scott McKenna, Tyler Fletcher, Ryan Christie, Kenny McLean, Lyndon Dykes, Ross Stewart, George Hirst, Findlay Curtis
Where to watch Haiti vs Scotland: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Sunday was at 02:00 BST (21:00 ET / 18:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on BBC One.
Fans can stream the action on a vast range of devices through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.
World Cup 2026: Haiti vs Scotland stats
- The 52-year-gap between Haiti’s and Congo DR’s first appearance (1974) and second appearance (2026) at the World Cup is the fourth-longest in tournament history, behind Wales (64 years, between 1958 and 2022), Egypt (56 years, between 1934 and 1990) and Norway (56 years, between 1938 and 1994)
- Among sides to play 10 games in CONCACAF qualifying, only Bermuda (31) and Nicaragua (16) conceded more goals than Haiti (13), as well as shipping the third-largest amount of expected goals (11.7)
- No player scored more goals in the campaign than Haiti’s Duckens Nazon (6), including a hat-trick after coming on as a sub against Costa Rica in September
- Sebastien Migne will be the second person to coach Haiti at a World Cup after Antoine Tassy and the first non-Haitian to do so
- The Frenchman’s only previous experience at a major international competition came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with Kenya (W1 L2) and with Haiti at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup (D1 L2)
- Scotland topped a World Cup qualifying group for the first time since 1982 but have failed to advance from the first round in any of their previous eight appearances at the finals
- Including EURO appearances, Scotland have failed to surpass the opening round in any of their 12 previous attempts at major competitions
- They had the lowest goal difference (+6 – 13 scored, 7 conceded) among all directly qualified sides in European qualifying, as well as the lowest difference between expected goals and expected goals conceded (+0.8 – 9.4 xG, 8.6 xG against)
- Since the start of 2023, Scott McTominay has been directly involved in 15 goals for Scotland in all competitions (13 goals, 2 assists), which is at least six more than any other player (John McGinn is next, with 9)
- Steve Clarke is leading Scotland to a third major tournament following EURO 2020 and EURO 2024, which is more than any other head coach for the national team
