Haiti regroups after 0-1 Scotland defeat; Brazil looms June 19

Two days after their World Cup opener, Les Grenadiers are in a familiar position — absorbing a narrow defeat and preparing for a far more demanding challenge. Scotland edged Haiti 1-0 at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough) on June 13, with John McGinn's 28th-minute strike — deflected into the net — the only goal of a tense Group C contest. Halftime score was 0-1. Haiti's xG of 0.18 versus Scotland's 0.96 tells the story of a side that defended resolutely but rarely threatened on the night.

The group picture after Matchday 1: Scotland lead Group C on 3 points, Brazil and Morocco sit level on 1 point each following their 1-1 draw at MetLife Stadium, and Haiti are bottom with 0 points. The Grenadiers must pick up points to stay alive — their next fixture is Brazil vs. Haiti at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, on Friday June 19 (9 p.m. ET, Fox).

Coach Sébastien Migné had flagged squad depth as a priority after the 4-0 win over New Zealand on June 2. Captain Johny Placide was solid in goal. Boston's large Haitian diaspora community turned out in force, continuing the sell-out atmosphere that began with the Peru warm-up in Miami on June 5.

The shirt controversy resolved before kick-off: manufacturer Saeta confirmed a late design change to Haiti's home kit after FIFA cited political-speech regulations, replacing a battle-for-independence imagery with a compliant alternative.