Might Scotland throw midfield curveball at Haiti?

Will Scott McTominay and John McGinn both be in starting XI to face Haiti?

For 114 years, the iconic Fenway Park has hosted some of the greats of baseball.

Set just a handful of blocks back from the Charles River, the likes of a fledgling Babe Ruth, the formidable Ted Williams. legendary pitcher Cy Young all made their mark at Fenway, an antique cathedral of sporting greatness.

But in the outskirts of Boston on Saturday. it could be Steve Clarke who is about to hurl one almighty curveball that even Babe Ruth would struggle to read.

So much of this week has been about the journey. Fans criss-crossing the globe to get here. Partying. Celebrating. Uniting as a nation.

But there is a colossal decision to be made. will play a huge part in keeping that party in full swing.

Scotland have three games but not three strikes. So much pressure is being heaped upon winning the opener with Haiti at Boston Stadium on Sunday (02:00 BST),. that requires getting the team right.

It's widely accepted Clarke will go with a 4-4-2, which he has rarely used. worked so well in the 4-0 warm-up win over Bolivia last week. But that was a game where John McGinn sat on the bench.

Factoring in Scott McTominay's stomach bug this week. could Clarke leave one of his leading men on the sidelines for the biggest game the nation has seen in almost three decades?

The McTominay question is perhaps not as prominent as it appeared on Thursday.

In early evening in Boston. word filtered back that the Scotland team had arrived off the bus at their hotel without Napoli's star man. He had been absent in training earlier and had travelled with a doctor separately as a precaution.

But, after the midfielder re-emerged at training on Friday, head coach Clarke described him as "perfect" and "ready to go".

Captain Andy Robertson jested his team-mate was just seeking attention, not that he'd be short of it. He is the football poster boy of Naples. his image painted on to the side of a building in the shadows of Hampden Park.

There is a sense an even 60% McTominay would start this one. given the need for leadership and, more importantly, a result.

"We are delighted with Scott's abilities. what he can bring to the team," said Clarke, before diplomatically adding: "But we are going to need another 15 to bring the same if we want to have a positive tournament."

Scotland return to centre stage at last in must-win World Cup opener

Scotland's McTominay 'ready to go' after illness

Scotland boss Clarke by those who know him best

Going back to that game in New Jersey last week, Aston Villa captain. Tartan Army sweetheart John McGinn was the one to start on the bench.

He was also left out completely for the win against Curacao at Hampden.

McGinn not playing would seem incredible given his contribution in a Scotland jersey.

Across his 86 caps he's got 20 goals - fifth on the all-time list - and 10 assists. Just as crucially, he is in the form of his life having just led Villa to the Europa League trophy.

But there may be a reluctance to tinker too much with a midfield of McTominay, Lewis Ferguson, Ben Gannon-Doak. Ryan Christie which purred so perfectly, particularly in the first half.

"It's amazing to think there could be a Scotland team without John McGinn in it," said former forward James McFadden.

"I would expect him to come in. I just hope it is unfortunately one of the midfielders that miss out and not one of the strikers.

"I'd really like to see the two strikers because I think they offer so much. Could we see a starting team in the first game without John McGinn?

"I wouldn't put it past Steve Clarke, to be honest,. because he doesn't start the first game doesn't mean he's not going to be a massive player in the games after that."

There is a valid point that McGinn perhaps has been rested given his 53-game season.

"I don't think we need to start John in the first game if I'm being honest," said former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton.

"I'm trying to think back to the Euros in terms of John and his output. I felt he was tired at that tournament.

"I felt it was a long season. I'm looking at the output over the last number of months in terms of the European campaign at Villa, the travel associated with that. the injury that he had at the point in the season.

"Do we really need to use him for the start?"

2026 World Cup: Haiti v Scotland

Sunday, 14 June (02:00 BST)

Boston Stadium, United States

Watch match coverage on the BBC iPlayer, listen to live commentary on BBC Sounds,. follow text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

The other option is for McGinn to be moved out wide, a position he has performed well in for his country,. sacrifice the pace and directness of either Christie or Gannon-Doak.

While not blessed with speed. the Villa captain has proved to be an immense outball for Scotland which, coupled with his workrate, has made him such an asset.

But against a Haiti team founded upon speed and power, could that work?

"I like McGinn better off the right," said Kilmarnock manager and former Scotland winger Neil McCann.

"I like him coming on his left side and it opens up an overlap.

"I don't so much think he's better off the left than he is right. so therefore who's going to be better for an outball because I think we should have an outball."

World Cup fixtures and group standings

How to watch the World Cup on the BBC

Everything you need to know about the World Cup