World Cup 2026: Haiti vs Scotland Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

Haiti and Scotland get their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns under way at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, with kickoff at 03:00 CAT on Sunday morning. Steve Clarke's Scotland arrive as clear favourites in this Group C opener, while Haiti will look to spring an upset in their first World Cup appearance since 1974. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

Haiti

Haiti come in off the back of an eye-catching 4-0 friendly win over New Zealand on 2 June and from my point of view that result will give them real belief, even if Scotland are a step up in quality. Wilson Isidor leads the line with pace and physicality, with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde the key creative outlet from midfield. I expect Haiti to sit deep in a compact 4-2-3-1 and hit on the break, but their defensive line is unlikely to cope for ninety minutes with Scotland's various offensive threats. There are no fresh injury concerns from the New Zealand win.

Predicted Lineup: Placide; Arcus, Ade, Delcroix, Lacroix; Bellegarde, Pierre; Deedson, Casimir, Providence; Isidor.

Scotland

Scotland have been hit by a major blow with Billy Gilmour ruled out of the tournament after coming off in the 4-1 friendly win over Curacao on 30 May, and Tyler Fletcher has been called in as the replacement. In my opinion Steve Clarke still has more than enough quality in his team to win this comfortably, with Scott McTominay and John McGinn driving the midfield and Andy Robertson providing the platform from left back. Che Adams faces a fitness race after a thigh problem, which could open the door for Lyndon Dykes to start through the middle. I expect Scotland to dominate the ball and break the resistance after the hour mark.

Predicted Lineup: Gordon; Hickey, Hendry, McKenna, Robertson; Ferguson, Christie, McTominay; Gannon-Doak, McGinn; Dykes.

Scotland have the quality, experience and set-piece threat to take three points here, even if Haiti will not go down without a fight. I expect a cautious first half before Scotland take control after the break, with one of McTominay or McGinn likely to break the deadlock. My forecast: Haiti 0 Scotland 2.

Under 2.5 Goals (1.88)

I am backing Under 2.5 Goals and my read on this is that Haiti will sit deep and try to frustrate, while Scotland under Clarke have been measured rather than free-scoring in recent qualifiers. With Gilmour out and Adams in doubt, I expect Scotland to win in a controlled 1-0 or 2-0 rather than a goal-fest. At 1.88 this is the best value on the board.