Palyers of Scotland in action during the training session of Scotland one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Haiti and Scotland at New England Revolution Training Center on June 12, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo: AFP)
Scotland captain Andrew Robertson said that an opening win against Haiti is crucial in a group that also contains Morocco and five-time champion Brazil.
"This World Cup is a dream come true for all of us," Robertson, who plays for Liverpool, told a pre-match press conference on Friday. "I've been very fortunate to win trophies and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, but playing for your country at a World Cup is completely different.
"I'm just so proud that this group of lads were the ones able to get us here. Now we're on the eve of the game and the excitement is building from the fans, but it's definitely there in the squad as well."
Head coach Steve Clarke underlined the importance of Saturday's match in Foxborough.
"I think it's important," Clarke said when asked how vital three points would be, given the strength of Morocco and Brazil. "We respect the opposition. We have to make sure we're properly prepared - which we are. We've prepared with the necessary mobility and intensity, and then we'll see what the result is."
Robertson warned that Haiti, seen by some as the "unknown" team in the group, should not be underestimated.
"It's a really difficult group; we've got three extremely hard games," he said. "Haiti's warm-up games have been pretty impressive. They're really quick, really strong, aggressive, good on the counter-attack and really dangerous.
"We know we have to be at our best to win any game. We can only control our performance, and if we perform at our best then I believe we can cause anyone problems - but it's up to us to go and show that."
The opener will be played in hot, humid conditions unusual for the Scottish side. Robertson said the team has spent months adapting.
"I don't think we'll ever get fully used to the heat, but we're certainly more used to it than we were two weeks ago," he said. "Over the last six months we've tried to prepare for the heat, the humidity, everything that goes along with it. I believe we're as best prepared as possible. Now it's on us as players on the pitch to show that work."
Both coach and captain highlighted that Scotland's strength lies in the collective effort rather than any individual star.
"I think I have got 26 superstars here. To try and put so much onto one person is not fair. We have built everything we have over the last seven years on the squad, the team, everybody being together and playing their part at certain times," said Clarke.
Robertson said: "We've never been about superstars. Nobody is above anyone, nobody has a higher status than anyone. We are a team of equals, and that's what has got us here. I believe anyone in this squad, if they're called upon, can produce big moments - and that's what you need to have a good tournament."
With thousands of Scotland fans arriving in the United States, the Tartan Army is expected to turn Foxborough into a sea of dark blue. Robertson said the players are determined to reward their long wait.
"We know we've got the best fans in the world and we know how long they've been waiting for this moment," he said. "They'll enjoy it regardless, but our job is to give them real moments to cheer.
"The preparation is done. Now it's about taking the game plan onto the pitch and trying to get the three points we believe we can get."
Scotland faces Haiti on Saturday evening at Boston Stadium in its opening group match of the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.