A Haitian Voodoo priest is planning to call on ancestral spirits to help his country defeat Scotland in their World Cup opener, we can reveal.
Speaking exclusively from Port-Au-Prince, the Haitian capital Pierre Reggy Philogene,74, said he is hoping to invoke ancient religious rituals, including the calling on the powers of the Orishas and ancestors to help thwart Steve Clarke’s men, when the two sides meet in Boston, US, on June 13.
Philogene, who have been practicing voodoo for 55 years insisted his countrymen’s ancient rituals will boost their chances and quash the Tartan Army’s dreams of glory.
Scott McTominay will hope to get on the scoresheet against the Caribbean nation as Steve Clarke’s side return to footie’s biggest stage after a 28-year absence next summer.
Pierre, who travels extensively to work for people who require his services said: “We are going to call on the spirits of our ancestors — or orishas — to help our players and team do well in the World Cup.
“The draw looks favourable for Haiti and I am happy we have Scotland. The Scottish team have to do what they have to do and we have to do what we have to do for Haiti.”
He told how Haitian priests adopted similar tactics ahead of their only previous World Cup Finals in 1974.
Piere, who inherited the spiritual science from his father recalled: “We did prayers, sacrifices and paid homage to our ancestors asking them to help and guide the team. A lot of our players consulted with us before the games and we were happy to assist them.”
Their prayers went unrewarded as Haiti crashed out despite taking the lead against Italy in a 3-1 loss.
Meanwhile Scotland failed to reach the knockout stages.
And Piere hailed the teams’ match-up as a “good omen” before the action in the US, Canada and Mexico.
He said: “Haiti was in the 1974 World Cup and Scotland was also in that World Cup.
“They just had to be in the same group with us in 2026.
“We are hoping for a good game with them. They are a good team.”
Voodoo practitioners are said to stick pins in dolls in a bid to inflict pain on targets.
But Piere stressed: “Voodoo is our religion. It is not black magic.
“There is nothing to fear or to be ashamed of. It focuses on community, healing, and empowerment. “We use it to better ourselves.”
Haiti, featuring Wolverhampton Wanderers ace Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, topped their qualifying group ahead of Scotland’s 1990 conquerors Costa Rica.
Scotland face them in Massachusetts’ Gillette Stadium on June 14 then Morocco at the same venue five days later and Brazil in Miami on June 24.