Steve Clarke’s heroes finally end a 28-year wait in the early hours of Sunday morning – we simulated the Group C opener against Haiti at EA FC 26 to see if the boys can get the job done
Scotland return to the World Cup after nearly three decades – we asked EA FC 26 how Steve Clarke’s men will fare in their first game(Image: Getty Images)
Scotland start their historic World Cup comeback by doing the business in one dominant performance against Haiti.
That will be the case if our digital crystal ball is anything to go by. According to our simulation at EA Sports FC, Steve Clarke’s Heroes will end a 28-year wait for action on the world’s biggest stage with the victory we so desperately crave.
Scotland begin their Group C campaign tomorrow morning (Sunday June 14). Kick-off time at 02.00 BST may test the sleeping patterns Tartan armybut let’s be honest – not a single self-respecting Scotland fan lacks this.
Having seen the nation miss out on qualification by the best margin since last appeared at the World Cup in France 1998automatic qualification for 2026 has eased the pain in the intervening years. The shocking defeat to Ukraine in 2022 and Ljubljana’s torment against Slovenia in 2017 are now put in the back of the mind.
So with all the hype, hope and anticipation reaching a fever pitch, how will the boys get on? We took to EA Sports FC 26’s new The World’s Game mode – an unofficial take on WC tournament – to try to predict the match.
Scotland v Haiti World Cup 2026 Prediction by EA Sports FC 26
We adjusted game’s standard lineup a bit, trying to predict Clarke’s approach to the game. In came No.1 Angus Gunn for veteran keeper Craig Gordon and John Souttar partnered Grant Hanley in the center back line.
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; Hey Adams.
What followed was a nervous first hour, with Scotland coming close to opening the lead a couple of times Haiti keeper Johny Placide insisted on playing the villain. It was 0-0 at half-time, but Scotland had a whopping 72% of possession in the first period and six attempts on goal.
The deadlock was finally broken after 62 minutes. And who else but talisman Scott McTominay to score Scotland’s first World Cup goal since Craig Burley’s lob against Norway in ’98?
The Napoli midfielder turned his defender just inside the area before curling the ball into the bottom right corner. The finish sent the Tartan Army into bedlam and injected a sharp confidence into Scotland’s pace and game plan.
Scotland were well in control now and with 10 minutes to go they put the game away. Some lovely one-touch football allowed Che Adams to dismiss Ryan Christie near the penalty spot and the Bournemouth man duly obliged by calmly tapping home.
And so, with 74% possession and 10 shots to Haiti’s nil, Scotland returned to the World Cup with an authoritative, if unspectacular, victory. Let’s hope so EA FC 26 called this right when the real final whistle sounds around 4 tomorrow.
Scotland v Haiti World Cup Group C Prediction
Haiti 0-2 Scotland
