Scotland captain Andy Robertson will lead his nation out against Haiti in Boston (Image: Maddie Meyer – FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
A data-driven simulation has handed Scotland fans a major boost ahead of their World Cup return. The Tartan Army are set for a sleepless night thanks to a 2am BST kick-off time for their 2026 World Cup opener against Haiti.
But what’s a few hours of sleep after waiting 28 years to see Scotland on the biggest stage of all once more? Excitement is at fever pitch as Steve Clarke’s side feature at its first World Cup since France in 1998. And a high-tech prediction has good news for Scotland supporters bracing for a long night.
Scotland kick off their World Cup campaign in Boston (Image: EA Sports/screenshot)
That is, at least, what a prediction on EA Sports FC suggests.
To see how the first Group C match might play out, the Daily Record ran the fixture through the football sim’s new The World’s Game mode – an unofficial recreation of the World Cup tournament.
Scotland v Haiti simulated by EA Sports FC 26
The simulated team sheet threw up a couple of changes to the default setting, as Angus Gunn came in for veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon and John Souttar partnered Grant Hanley at the heart of the defence.
Robertson and John McGinn are both surely set to start for Scotland against Haiti (Image: Getty)
Scotland predicted starting XI v Haiti: Angus Gunn; Aaron Hickey, Grant Hanley, John Souttar, Andy Robertson (capt); Ben Gannon-Doak, Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, John McGinn; Scott McTominay; Che Adams.
What followed was a tense opening hour, during which Scotland went close on several occasions to breaking the deadlock, only to be repeatedly thwarted by Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide.
The first half ended goalless, yet Scotland had dominated proceedings with a commanding 72% of possession and six efforts on goal.
Scott McTominay embraces Che Adams after scoring Scotland’s first World cup goal for 28 years (Image: EA Sports/screenshot)
The stalemate was finally broken after 62 minutes — and who better than talismanic midfielder Scott McTominay to net Scotland’s first World Cup goal since Craig Burley’s lob against Norway in ’98?
The Napoli star twisted past his marker just inside the area before curling the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.
The finish sent the Tartan Army into bedlam and injected a sharp confidence into Scotland’s tempo and gameplan.
Scotland were firmly in the ascendancy, and with 10 minutes remaining they put the result beyond doubt.
Ryan Christie doubled the lead in our simulation (Image: EA Sports/screenshot)
And so, boasting 74% possession and 10 shots to Haiti’s none, Scotland made their long-awaited return to the World Cup with an authoritative, if not spectacular, victory.
Here’s hoping EA FC 26 got this one right when the real-life final whistle sounds at around 4am tomorrow.