What does O’Donnell want supporters to see when the teams meet? Not only a contest between two nations, but a moment of connection.
The report says the match will be Scotland’s first World Cup game in 28 years, while Haiti are set to appear at the tournament for only the second time, returning for the first time since 1974. Their qualification is already a landmark achievement, made more striking by the circumstances surrounding the country.
For Scottish supporters, the occasion carries the excitement of a long-awaited return. For Haiti, it offers international visibility at a time when that spotlight has rarely been more important.
Haiti is facing severe disruption from armed conflict, gang violence and food insecurity. Families have seen access to work, farming and essential supplies damaged, with children among those most exposed.
Mary’s Meals has supported school feeding in Haiti for years. The campaign backed by O’Donnell is seeking further donations, with his message that even a small contribution can help provide a nutritious meal and a measure of stability.
That appeal gives the fixture a second dimension. Football cannot resolve Haiti’s crisis, but it can bring an audience, create empathy and turn attention into practical support.
Scotland will understandably be focused on winning its opening game. O’Donnell’s intervention asks supporters to hold another thought alongside that ambition: Haiti’s players are representing a country whose challenges continue long after the final whistle.
When the teams walk out in Boston, the result will shape the tournament story. Whether the match also leaves a lasting response for Haitian children may prove the more meaningful storyline to follow beyond the opener.