Scotland’s Group C clash with Haiti at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts slipped past its scheduled start, adding another example to a pattern that has seen every opening match of the 2026 World Cup delayed. Fifa’s meticulous timing sheets left the two sides 90 seconds behind the clock for the broadcast schedule.

According to the official schedule, both teams were to take the field exactly eight minutes and 40 seconds before kick‑off. Instead, a Fifa official hurried the Haitian squad into the tunnel, forcing both sides to depart late and pushing the match into a 90‑second delay for broadcasters and fans in Massachusetts.

Fifa’s public‑service timing sheets list every detail, from tunnel entry to anthem playback, to aid broadcasters who insert commercials at precise moments. Even a two‑minute lag can cascade into missed advertising slots, diminishing revenue and disrupting the viewing experience across the United States during the first eight games for fans.

These recurring delays underline a broader issue with the tournament’s logistical execution. With no matches kicking off on time yet, organizers risk eroding fan trust and commercial confidence, potentially forcing Fifa to reassess its operational plans before the tournament’s opening ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in the United States.