Scotland are back on the biggest stage in football after 28 years of waiting, and their opening match against Haiti in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time marks the start of a campaign that fans have dreamed of for decades. But Haiti – a nation that last appeared at a World Cup in 1974, when they scored one goal in three matches – have quietly built a squad capable of causing problems. Steve Clarke's side will have to contain a handful of dangerous players if they want to start their Group B journey with a win.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, features an expanded 48-team format. Scotland qualified for the first time since 1998, while Haiti secured their second-ever berth in the tournament by winning three and drawing two of six matches in the final round of qualifying. The match will kick off at an as-yet-unconfirmed time in the early hours, with coverage expected on free-to-air television and streaming services. For UK viewers, the game is likely to be broadcast on ITV1 and available via ITVX, following the pattern of other group matches such as Qatar vs Switzerland on the same platform.
“Scotland face Haiti in their first World Cup game in 28 years. Here's what you need to know about the Haiti squad and the match.”
Haiti's squad is almost entirely foreign-based and includes several notable players. Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor, 25, switched allegiance from France after encouragement from fans on social media and scored on his first start in a friendly draw with Iceland in March. "It's been 52 years since Haiti were at the last World Cup and the first goalscorer (Emmanuel Sanon) is a big, big legend there," Isidor said. "I hope to be the second one." He has four goals in nine games for club and country this season. Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, 27, joined the national set-up last year and started all six qualifiers. He has made 83 Premier League appearances since joining Wolves from Strasbourg in 2023. Captain Johny Placide, 38, is the heartbeat of the team – the goalkeeper has 83 caps and plays for Bastia in the French second tier. His participation was briefly in doubt after knee surgery in March, but he returned to play 45 minutes in a warm-up win against New Zealand. In defence, Hannes Delcroix, 27, formerly of Burnley, switched allegiance from Belgium last year and formed a resilient partnership with Ricardo Ade during qualifying. He now plays for Lugano in Switzerland.
Why does this matter for UK readers? For Scottish fans, it is the end of a long exile and a chance to see their team on the global stage. For neutral viewers, Haiti's story – a nation with a rich footballing history and a modern wave of dual-nationality players – offers a compelling underdog narrative. The match also gives insight into the expanded tournament, where smaller nations have more opportunities to compete.
The immediate question for Scotland is whether they can handle Haiti's counter-attacking threat, led by Isidor's pace and Bellegarde's creativity. Meanwhile, questions remain over Scotland's own fitness and form after their long absence. The result will shape their campaign in a group that also includes Switzerland and Qatar.
Q: What time is Scotland vs Haiti? The match kicks off in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time. Exact time has not been confirmed, but it follows the World Cup schedule for Group B.
Q: Who are Haiti's best players? Key players include Wilson Isidor (Sunderland forward), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Wolves midfielder), veteran goalkeeper Johny Placide, and defender Hannes Delcroix (Lugano). Isidor has six Premier League goals for Sunderland and scored twice in four caps.
Q: How can I watch the match in the UK? The game is expected to be broadcast live on ITV1 and available for free streaming on ITVX. Check listings closer to kick-off. Other group matches, like Qatar vs Switzerland, are also on ITV1 at 8pm BST.
After this opener, Scotland will face Switzerland and Qatar in their group. The top two teams advance to the knockout stage. Haiti will aim to build on their 52-year absence and potentially secure their first World Cup win since 1974.