Scotland v Belarus 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifiers Andy Robertson of Scotland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Group C match at Hampden Park, Glasgow UK Newspapers OUT Copyright: xFredxPalmerx FIL-22351-0159
Scotland’s scouting mission on Haiti has delivered a clear verdict: Steve Clarke and his players must not underestimate their Group C opponents at the World Cup.
Record Sport witnessed Sebastian Migne’s side dismantle New Zealand at the Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, firing a significant warning to the Scotland camp ahead of their June 14 opener in Boston.
The match, played just 40 minutes from Miami, was delayed by an hour after an emergency weather warning was issued due to thunder and lightning filling the sky above the ground.
Around 10,000 Haitians packed into the stadium and produced a wall of noise every time their team crossed the halfway line, creating a genuinely deafening atmosphere throughout the contest.
Clarke’s coaching staff, including Steven Naismith and Alan Irvine, were present to assess the opposition and will undoubtedly have returned with serious warnings for the Scotland manager.
Haiti lined up in a conventional 4-4-2 formation, with Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor starting up front alongside former St Mirren man Duckens Nazon, while Jean Ricner Bellegarde from Wolves began on the bench.
Left winger Ruben Providence opened the scoring after just 15 minutes with a stunning touch, turn and dinked finish over the New Zealand goalkeeper, showcasing exactly what the former PSG youngster and French under-19 international is capable of producing.
Substitute Lenny Joseph, who enjoyed a productive season at Ferencvaros under prospective new Celtic boss Robbie Keane, slotted home to make it 2-0 before Frantzdy Pierrot bulleted in a header from yet another attack where Haiti piled bodies forward.
Duke Lacroix then produced an exquisite curling finish from the edge of the box to complete the rout and send the Haiti supporters into a state of ecstasy inside the Chase Stadium.
Haiti’s back four remained tight and compact throughout, with both full-backs rarely bombing forward simultaneously, though their front players were given licence to attack at every opportunity with pace, power and speed.
Defensively, veteran keeper Johny Placide was identified as a capable shot-stopper but one who is not comfortable coming for crosses, a weakness Naismith and Irvine will feed back to Clarke ahead of the Boston showdown.
Scotland’s coaching staff will also have noted that Haiti’s goalkeeper struggles with aerial deliveries, presenting an opportunity for Clarke’s forwards to exploit set-piece situations and balls into the box.
After watching Haiti up close, the feeling emerged that Lawrence Shankland could be absolutely pivotal for Scotland, not only because of his finishing ability but also because of what he can offer in the specific system Haiti deploys.
If Shankland can drop slightly deeper, play in pockets of space behind the front line, link play with the midfield and still arrive in the box at the right moment, it could prove key to a crucial victory for Scotland.
Haiti’s off-the-cuff attacking style may actually suit Clarke’s side, as a team determined to sit deep and be hard to break down would arguably represent a more difficult challenge to unpick in Boston.
Scotland just has to ensure they do not underestimate the Caribbean outsiders when those two sides finally meet on that critical opening night of their World Cup campaign.
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