Record‑scorer Duckens Nazon arrived in Qatar carrying a dramatic escape story. The Haitian striker was forced off a flight from Iran as Israeli‑U.S. strikes erupted, then spent 48 hours stranded at the Iran‑Azerbaijan border before the French embassy secured his passport. He finally fled via Azerbaijan, watching bombs fall within 100 metres of the runway and grateful his family remained safe in France.

Now back with Haiti, Nazon joins a squad that has revived national pride by reaching only its second World Cup finals. He stresses that the team will treat the opening match against Scotland as a mission, not a burden, and urges fans to ignore soaring ticket prices that could dampen stadium atmosphere. He trains alone after Iran halted domestic football.

During a 2018‑19 loan at St Mirren, Nazon tasted Scottish football, scoring twice in 12 games but complaining about the physicality and unpredictable weather. Those memories shape his respect for the host nation, yet he hopes the World Cup experience will unite Haitian and Scottish supporters and reflects on his brief stint with Coventry alongside Scotland defender Dominic Hyam.