Tartan Army’s 2026 World Cup cheers as McGinn scores ‘goal the country is dying for’

John McGinn scored Scotland’s first World Cup goal in almost 28 years to put the Tartan Army ahead against dangerous Haiti in their first match of the 2026 finals in Boston on Sunday.

McGinn’s goal from inside the box was deflected after Che Adams controlled the ball beautifully to start the move and was forced to save from Johny Placide in Scotland’s return to their last competitive appearance in 1998, where they exited the group stage without a win.

Scotland’s goal. SCOTLAND’S GOAL! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

John McGinn fires his nation ahead against Haiti! #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2otuUub0oh

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 14, 2026

“It’s a country that has been on the outside looking in for a long time, denied access to the mother of all organizations,” said commentator Liam McLeod on BBC Sport.

But suddenly, almost thirty years were overcome in an instant. That is the goal that the nation has longed for.”

2026 World Cup: Adams’ ‘sweet’ touch leads to goal

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay fired the ball in front of goal in a thrilling half that had chances for both sides, knowing victory would put them top of the group after one game in each of the four teams in the division.

“The goal is about Che Adams,” said former Scotland striker and assistant coach James McFadden.

“It’s a fantastic first touch that allows the attack to build. Ben Gannon-Doak uses his speed and sends a dangerous ball in again. It was a good save… but Adams’ touch is excellent.

“I know it’s late [in the UK] and many people – especially young people – stay tuned. But that’s why you do it, at times like that.”

Both teams had a water break before the goal in the 28th minute. “I just wonder if, in that little break, [Scotland coach] “Steve Clarke asked for straight balls at the back, because there were a lot of them up front,” said McFadden.

“Slowly directing puts Haiti under pressure defensively.”

A few hours ago, Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1 in New Jersey in the first match of the tournament in Group C.

World Cup 2026: Team Haiti vs Scotland

Haiti was unchanged from its 2-1 loss against Peru in Florida on June 6.

Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner and Lugano defender Hannes Delcroix both started for Haiti ahead of the third and final qualifying round, while Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor has since joined the squad.

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 instead of: Alexandre Pierre, Josue Duverger, Keeto Thermoncy, Markus Lacroix, Garven Metusala, Jean-Kevin Duverne, Wilguens Paugain, Carl Sainte, Dominique Simon, Woodensky Pierre, Derrick Etienne, Duckens Nazon, Lenny Joseph, Yassin Fortune, Josue Casamir

Just listen to this… 🥹

Flower of Scotland is disturbed as Scotland fans win the Flower of Scotland at the World Cup pic.twitter.com/zChW8Py614

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) June 14, 2026

World Cup 2026: Team Scotland vs Haiti

Scotland brought on McGinn for their 4-0 win over Bolivia in Harrison eight days ago, while Ryan Christie was moved to the bench.

Tyler Fletcher is part of the squad after being called up to replace Billy Gilmour when the midfielder injured his knee in 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 expected to be temporary and Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway will miss the final with a sprained ankle.

Southampton striker Ross Stewart has been part of the Scotland squad for the first time since 2022, due to a serious injury between his international appearances 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

In Scotland instead of: 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 streaming online

Kick-off on Sunday was at 02:00 BST (21:00 ET / 18:00 PT). In the UK, broadcast live on BBC One.

Fans can stream the action on a huge range of devices via the BBC iPlayer app and the BBC Sport website.

World Cup 2026: Haiti vs Scotland statistics

• The 52-year gap between Haiti and Congo DR’s first appearance (1974) and second appearance (2026) at the World Cup is the fourth longest in the tournament’s history, behind Wales (64 years, between 1958 and 2022), Egypt (56 years, between 1934 and 1990) and Norway (194).
• Among the sides to play 10 CONCACAF qualifiers, only Bermuda (31) and Nicaragua (16) have scored more goals than Haiti (13), and posted the third highest number of expected goals (11.7).
• No player has scored more goals in the campaign than Haiti’s Duckens Nazon (6), including a hat-trick against Costa Rica in September.
• Sebastien Migne will be the second person to coach Haiti in the World Cup after Antoine Tassy and the first non-Haitian to do so.
• The Frenchman’s previous experience at a major international tournament came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with Kenya (W1 L2) and Haiti at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup (D1 L2)
• Scotland topped the World Cup qualifying group for the first time since 1982 but have failed to progress past the first round in their last eight finals appearances.
• Including EURO appearances, Scotland have failed to get past the opening round in any of their last 12 attempts at major tournaments.
• They had the lowest goal difference (+6 – 13 goals, 7 conceded) among all teams directly qualified for European qualification, and the lowest difference between expected goals and expected goals allowed (+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), at least six more than any other player (next John McGinn, who has 9)
• Steve Clarke leads Scotland to a third major tournament following EURO 2020 and EURO 2024, more than any other national team coach.