McGinn the Hero: Scotland Edge Haiti for a Dream Start

Updated 17 June 2026.

Scotland vs Haiti at World Cup 2026 finished 1-0 to Scotland, John McGinn’s 28th-minute goal earning a priceless win that sent them top of Group C. For a nation with a long history of tournament near-misses, three points on the board in their opening match is exactly the start they came for, even if Haiti made them work for it at Gillette Stadium.

How Scotland saw off Haiti

John McGinn settled it on 28 minutes, the midfielder doing what he so often does for Scotland and arriving in the box at the right moment. From there it was a question of game management against a Haiti side that grew into the contest but lacked the cutting edge to find an equaliser.

It was not always comfortable, but Scotland have rarely been able to say they opened a major tournament with a win. In a group containing Brazil and Morocco, those three points could prove decisive in the race to qualify.

What it means for Group C

The win sent Scotland top of Group C, above Brazil and Morocco, who drew 1-1 on the same day. Haiti sit bottom but were far from disgraced. With the top two and the best third-placed sides advancing, Scotland have given themselves a real platform. Track the group on our standings page.

What is next

Both sides return to Group C action, with kick-offs on our fixtures page and goals live on live scores. See the day’s full rundown in our World Cup 2026 June 13 round-up and the complete World Cup 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

What was the score in Scotland vs Haiti?

Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 in their World Cup 2026 Group C opener on 13 June at Gillette Stadium, with John McGinn scoring the only goal on 28 minutes.

Who scored for Scotland against Haiti?

John McGinn scored the only goal of the game on 28 minutes to give Scotland a 1-0 win and top spot in Group C after the opening round.

Source: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C.