Scotland v Belarus 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifier 12/10/2025. Group C Andy Robertson 3 - Scotland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park, Glasgow, United Kingdom on 12 October 2025. Editorial use only , Copyright: xRaymondxDaviesx PSI-23024-0049
Scotland are back on the biggest stage in world football for the first time in nearly 30 years, and the anticipation is almost impossible to contain.
An estimated 30,000 Tartan Army members have descended on Boston, with social media flooded with videos of supporters celebrating well ahead of the 2am UK kick-off.
Steve Clarke becomes the first head coach in history to lead Scotland at three major tournaments, having previously guided the nation through EURO 2020 and EURO 2024.
Scotland face Haiti in Group C at Gillette Stadium, with Morocco and Brazil to follow in what promises to be a demanding campaign in North America.
Betfair gives Scotland a 65% chance of victory, but the Dark Blues carry a troubling record of nine consecutive winless World Cup matches against sides from the Americas.
Scott McTominay is the player most likely to make an impact, having been involved in more Scotland goals during qualifying than any other player, with two goals and one assist to his name.
Haiti’s danger man is Duckens Nazon, who scored six goals in CONCACAF qualifying and registered more shots and touches inside the opposition box than any other player at that stage.
On talkSPORT’s World Cup gameday programme, former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy arrived wearing a Haiti shirt, claiming he had pulled it from a bag containing strips of all 48 tournament nations.
Scotland’s 26-time cap Charlie Adam was unconvinced, saying on air: “I thought this was a good radio station. To be fair, I think this is the most we have ever spoke about Scotland on this radio show and for him to produce that, nah, I’m finished with him.”
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant went further, telling Cundy directly: “You’re a disgrace. You’ve gone after Arsenal wearing a PSG shirt, now our neighbours, cousins and the uncle we don’t like, now you are putting on a Haiti shirt. I don’t believe a word you are saying.”
Cundy maintained his innocence, adding: “This probably sums up my luck. Of all the shirts I could have pulled out, Argentina, Uruguay, Czech Republic, all of them. It’s desperately unlucky. It’s not my fault and you should have some sympathy with me.”
Back in Boston, Chris Gibson, a 50-year-old builder and landscaper from Maud in Aberdeenshire, organised a three-hour party boat cruise on the vessel named Freedom for over 200 supporters before the match.
Gibson told the Record: “I’ve got a nervous energy. Just the game, how the team are performing – but I’m excited and I know a few beers on the boat will calm my nerves.”
Ellis Mutch, a 33-year-old farmer from Turriff, admitted he only booked the trip ten days before departure after getting what he called serious FOMO, packing light with only his kilt for bottoms.
Kevin Lynch, a 41-year-old police officer from Aberdeen who has tickets for all three group games, predicted: “I think we will get the win we need tonight – but I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
Darts player Cameron Menzies, who was competing in a World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, told BetVictor: “Maybe it’s the best kind of opening game for us because it’s a very winnable game. I’m not saying we will win it but it’s a very winnable game.”
Menzies added that winning the opener would shift the pressure firmly onto Morocco and Brazil, with three teams able to progress from the group this year.
Bronwyn Heatherwick, a 28-year-old NDT technician from Aberdeen, was predicting a 3-1 Scotland win with Lawrence Shankland to score after attending the party boat and planning to continue to a tailgate event before kick-off.
About the Author
