Sam Adams beer, named after the fourth governor of Massachusetts and a founding father of the U.S., flows freely in Boston. At a bustling downtown taproom, Scotland supporters gathered, with a prominent yellow banner draping over the balcony that read, “Remember Bannockburn 1315”
The Tartan Army has chosen Boston, a city known for its historic resistance against English rule, as their base for the World Cup journey. Enthusiastic fans donned outfits reminiscent of William Wallace, while tour guides styled as Paul Revere shared stories with them. Many proudly sported T-shirts declaring “There are very few things in life left that you can genuinely describe as once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, but getting to see Scotland at a World Cup is one of them,” with the “I’m old enough to remember 1998. I was nine years old and actually it was what made me a Scotland fan. I watched the tournament and I thought: ‘I can’t wait till the next one.’ I didn’t think it would take the entirety of my teenage years, my 20s, and almost my 30s to come back. So now that it’s here, we’re fully committed to having the absolute time of our lives.” representing Tennent’s beer. In a special twist, a local pub near the Battle of Bunker Hill has been transformed into Scotland House, proudly sponsored by M&S Food.
On Saturday night, the venue, set to accommodate 2,000 fans, is expected to be filled with supporters who have traveled to the U.S. but lack tickets to the game against Haiti. Many local bars are already buzzing with patrons, and several fans have shared their excitement with local news outlets. With flights from Scotland packed all week long, estimates suggest that as many as 40,000 Scots may converge on New England for the World Cup.
“As much as being part of the Tartan Army is about having a great time – you travel, you drink, you have a wonderful experience – I’d still quite like us to be successful on the pitch as well,” remarked Gordon Sheach. “And I think for this team under Steve Clarke, that’s what they deserve. The last two Euros, where we’ve been great in qualifying, we haven’t done ourselves justice at the tournament. Now is the time to do that.”
Sheach manages the Tartan Scarf social media account, which has grown into a comprehensive archive chronicling Scotland’s resurgence from an international hiatus. Following Euro 2020 and a successful run in Germany two years ago, this marks Scotland’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years, with hopes for a transformative tournament. “What we’ve got is a squad that has rebounded numerous times from disappointment,” Sheach added. “As a fanbase, we’ve done the exact same thing.”
Another dedicated fan, Alan Risk, who is also a part of the Hampden Roar podcast, views Scotland’s journey under Clarke as a testament to resilience and the formation of a relatable team. “There are so many players you can feel attached to. At one end you’ve got the bold personality of John McGinn but at the other there’s Aaron Hickey, someone who has had his setbacks but subtly gone about his work. I think quieter fans identify with his subtle professionalism.” he stated. “I think Haiti will come out of the traps very fast,” The narratives surrounding players like Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay have emerged as stories of triumph over adversity. “They’ve got a lot of speed and I think they’ll have to start the game rapid. But I think if we can get control of it fairly quickly, we can take control of the game.”
Scotland’s World Cup history is peppered with disappointments, from being eliminated in 1974 without a loss to the infamous 1978 campaign and a solitary point from Uruguay in 1986, to defeats by Costa Rica in 1990 and a crushing loss to Morocco eight years later. Despite this, Sheach and Risk remain optimistic, focusing on a brighter future and believing in victory against Haiti. “This is just as big a moment for them as it is for us, if not more so,” Risk noted. “It’s their first World Cup game in more than 50 years. So I think it’s a very special thing. It’s just one of those unique moments the World Cup can throw up.”
The upcoming Group C match will take place at the Fifa-renamed Boston Stadium, located about 22 miles from the city in Foxborough. The trek to the stadium is expected to be another adventure for fans, with reports indicating that numerous school buses have been arranged to transport Scotland supporters to the game. Sheach and Risk plan to board the first train, paying the $80 (£60) round-trip fare, arriving approximately three hours before kick-off in hopes of connecting with Haitian fans. “This is just as big a moment for them as it is for us, if not more so,” Sheach emphasized. “It’s their first World Cup game in more than 50 years. So I think it’s a very special thing. It’s just one of those unique moments the World Cup can throw up.”
