Scotland edges Haiti 1-0 in World Cup debut, leads Group C

Scotland secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Haiti in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, taking an early lead in Group C. Aston Villa captain John McGinn scored the game's only goal in the 28th minute, breaking Haitian dreams of earning a point in their return to the global tournament after a 52-year absence.

The match, held at Boston Stadium in the United States, saw Scotland, who are also returning to the World Cup after their last appearance in France 1998, dominate possession early on. Scott McTominay of Napoli hit the post in the 16th minute, signaling Scotland's intent before McGinn capitalized on a rebound to score.

Despite the loss, Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas and currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis, showed resilience in the second half. Coach Sébastien Migné's side pushed forward, relying on long balls and crosses into the box, but forwards Wilson Isidor and Frantzdy Pierrot were unable to convert their chances in the closing minutes.

With this result, Scotland now leads Group C with three points. They are followed by Morocco and Brazil, who each have one point after their match ended in a draw. Haiti sits at the bottom of the group without any points. Haiti's next challenge is a match against Brazil on June 19 in Philadelphia, while Scotland will face Morocco on the same day in Boston.

“

Scotland made the work with Haiti 1-0 and is leader of Group C