Scotland secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998, ending a 28-year absence from the tournament [1, 2, 3, 4]. The national team earned their place with a memorable 4-2 victory over Denmark in the qualifiers, capped by Scott McTominay’s overhead kick which has since been commemorated in a mural outside Hampden Park and featured on a £20 limited edition banknote [1, 2, 3].

Despite qualifying eight times including 2026, Scotland has never advanced beyond the group stage at either the World Cup or European Championships in a total of 12 attempts [1, 2, 3, 4]. Players such as McTominay, John McGinn, and (pending fitness) goalkeeper Craig Gordon feature in the squad for the tournament [2].

Scotland’s group opponents include Haiti, Morocco, who were semi-finalists in 2022, and Brazil, five-time World Cup winners. Their opening match is scheduled for June 20 in Boston against Haiti, with subsequent matches against Morocco in Gillette Stadium and Brazil in Miami [1, 2, 3]. The expanded 48-team format introduces a round of 32 knockout stage, increasing Scotland’s chances of progressing beyond the group [2].

Fans, known as the Tartan Army, are famed for their noisy and vibrant support. Around 200,000 Scottish supporters traveled to Euro 2024 in Germany, where they earned praise despite the team not winning a match [1, 3, 4]. Tens of thousands are expected to travel to the World Cup matches across Boston and Miami despite high ticket and travel costs. Category-one tickets for the Brazil match are priced up to $700 [1, 3].

Scotland coach Steve Clarke urged fans not to incur large debts to follow the team in North America, saying, "I had urged supporters not to rack up huge debts in their desire to follow Scotland in North America" [1, 3].

Local fans share the excitement. Niall Fitzgerald said, "If you would have told me 28 years ago that we wouldn’t see another World Cup until now I would’ve burst into tears to be honest. But now that I’m going I can barely believe it. Every day I think about nothing else. I’m beyond excited" [1]. Kenny McLean added, "It’s the first time in 28 years that we’ve reached the World Cup, so we don’t want that alone to be enough. We feel we've got a real chance of getting out of the group. That’s the goal, and that’s the ambition for everybody" [2].

The World Cup will open for Scotland on June 20 in Boston against Haiti, with the team aiming to build on their decades-long quest to reach the knockout rounds [1, 2, 3].