Haiti lose midfielder as World Cup opener against Scotland looms

A midfielder out before it begins

A last-minute injury has cost Haiti a squad player before the World Cup even kicks off. A Vizela midfielder has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury (3). The player was set to be part of the setup for the Scotland opener, but the issue has now forced a change. No replacement has been named yet.

Scotland gets McTominay back

Scott McTominay is back in full training after a stomach issue and will be available for Sunday's group opener against Haiti (4). The Scotland midfielder was briefly a doubt, but Steve Clarke now has him ready to go. McTominay's presence in midfield is a significant factor, he's one of the few Scotland players with genuine physical presence in the middle of the park.

Sunday: Haiti's first World Cup match in 52 years

Haiti face Scotland on Sunday, June 14 in the Group C opener. It's Haiti's first World Cup appearance since 1974 (1) (2). Scotland are chasing their first World Cup win in 36 years (5). The buildup from the Scottish side has been confident, a BBC interactive piece asks fans what tactics Clarke should deploy against Haiti (6), and the tone suggests Scotland see this as a match they should win. Haiti arrive as the unknown quantity. No one is talking about your team's form, your key players, or your preparations. That silence can be a weapon.

The narrative is yours to write

Every preview of this match is written from the Scotland perspective. The tactical questions are about what Clarke will do. The fitness updates are about McTominay's stomach. The history hanging over this match belongs to Scotland, 36 years without a World Cup win. Haiti's 52-year absence hardly gets a mention. Your team steps onto that pitch Sunday with nothing to lose and every storyline there for the taking.