Haiti’s preparation has taken place away from home. The report says every qualifying match played in the United States was moved abroad because of the crisis in Haiti, meaning the team has had to build its connection with supporters in neutral settings.
That connection was strengthened by a friendly win over New Zealand in front of 20,000 fans in Miami. For players who have rarely, or never, represented Haiti on home soil, those crowds offer the closest available version of home advantage.
The challenge now is converting emotion into concentration. A fast start could lift Haiti, but the intensity of a World Cup debut must be matched by defensive discipline.
Etienne identifies Scotland as compact, organized and well coached under Steve Clarke. That makes the opener a demanding tactical examination for Haiti, particularly when possession is lost and Scotland can attack through a settled shape.
The report also highlights Scott McTominay as Scotland’s principal individual threat. His physical presence and ability to arrive in advanced areas could force Haiti’s midfield and defence to remain connected throughout.
The update says Billy Gilmour is absent because of injury, although that claim has not been independently confirmed. Any reduction in Scotland’s midfield options could matter, but Haiti cannot plan around an uncertain absence.
Haiti’s route to competitiveness is clear: protect the centre, use physical energy intelligently and make the crowd part of the contest. The New Zealand result offers encouragement, but a friendly win cannot guarantee success against Scotland’s tournament-tested structure.
The opening phase in Boston will reveal whether Haiti’s belief survives Scotland’s pressure. After that, matches against Morocco and Brazil will provide even bigger tests, making the opener a chance to establish that Haiti’s first World Cup appearance can be defined by resistance rather than reputation.