2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifier Group A, Clearer Twist National Stadium, Windsor Park, Belfast 10/10/2025 Northern Ireland vs Slovakia Northern Irelands Conor Bradley Conor Bradley 10/10/2025 PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRLxFRAxNZL Copyright: x INPHO/Presseye/JonathanxPorterx 101025JP1football040
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has urged fans back home to stop underestimating Haiti after watching the Caribbean side’s impressive performances in recent days.
Clarke and his coaching staff spent several days studying footage of Haiti’s 4-0 victory over New Zealand in Fort Lauderdale, which sent shockwaves across the Atlantic.
The Scotland boss admitted he is actually pleased that result may have shaken complacency among supporters who assumed Saturday’s Group C opener in Boston would be straightforward.
Clarke said: “They were good the other night. I think you could see that. We have a terrible habit, not just in Scotland but the UK in general, of looking at these nations and thinking they are not very good or looking at where they are ranked in the world.”
He expanded on that point, adding that the context of regional football rankings is often misunderstood by fans and pundits outside those confederations.
Clarke continued: “They are big, strong and physical. But not only are they big, strong and physical but they are also technical. They have good players who play in good leagues.”
Haiti’s aggressive, high-energy style was on display again when they faced Peru in Miami, going ahead through Wilson Isidor’s 16th-minute strike before losing 2-1 to late goals from Renzo Garcés and Jairo Vélez.
Clarke acknowledged that unpredictable quality, saying: “Yeah, they have a freedom about themselves. You can’t say it’s ‘free-style’ because the structure of their team is actually pretty good. And their athleticism to get around the pitch makes that structure quite difficult to play against.”
When asked whether Haiti’s open style might create spaces for Scotland to exploit, Clarke kept his answer pointed and direct: “Only as long as we are good with the ball.”
Scotland’s players took time away from preparation to visit the 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan, with Clarke noting the mood inside the camp remains focused and positive.
He said: “The mood is good. Obviously the boys are getting excited as the start of the tournament comes up. The first game is not too far away now.”
After their current base, the squad will relocate to Charlotte ahead of the tournament beginning, with Clarke describing the sense of anticipation building naturally among his players.
The manager is also monitoring the fitness of several players carrying minor knocks as the countdown to the opening match continues.
Clarke said: “There are always places up for grabs. There are always little niggles in training. We have two or three players with nothing major but that can happen the night before or training the day before so you have to be ready for every eventuality.”
He referenced the injury suffered by Billy Gilmour as a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change within a tournament squad environment.
Clarke added: “There are no big concerns. But a couple of minor ones. A couple of them missed training the other day but joined in today. We’ll see how they react tomorrow.”
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