Scotland’s return to the FIFA World Cup after a 28-year absence has generated excitement, particularly among their fans who are already making a splash in Boston. Dressed in traditional kilts, the Scottish supporters arrived at Boston International Airport ahead of their match against Haiti scheduled for Saturday, humorously noting that they “ran out of beer” during their seven-hour transatlantic flight.
Upon arriving in the U.S., fan David Wood shared, “I’ve been drinking since one o’clock this morning. We ran out of beer.” After depleting their beer supply, the fans resorted to wine and later whisky during the flight. “We received a round of applause upon landing,” Wood added. “I’m not sure if that’s a common practice here; it’s just something we do in Scotland. I’m eager to find Cheers,” he remarked, holding a whiskey bottle while speaking to CBS.
The Tartan Army, as they are known, was given a festive send-off, thanks in part to a collaboration with the renowned Edinburgh Tattoo, as they prepared for their journey to the U.S. “Come on Scotland!” they cheered.
Arriving in the early hours of Thursday, the Scottish fans quickly embraced the celebratory atmosphere, even waking their Airbnb hosts and local residents by playing bagpipes while still clad in kilts. Videos capturing these lively moments have begun to circulate online.
However, some fans expressed surprise at the humid weather in Boston. Adam Cook commented, “It was quite humid when I stepped off the plane. I don’t handle the heat well, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Reports indicate that many fans have arrived without tickets to the match but remain optimistic about securing them before the game. Ticket prices initially skyrocketed to about $1,200 when they first became available, but have since dropped to around $500, according to Allan Begg. “We got scammed, but we’re still smiling,” added Carole McNamara. “We’re heading to the fan zones and have secured tickets to one of the pubs.”
As the Scottish fans descend upon Boston for the World Cup, they, like many international supporters, encountered challenges obtaining visas for the U.S., with some experiencing changes or denials in their Electronic System for Travel Authorization applications. While some fans made it to the U.S., others were left disappointed. “Many people spent thousands of pounds and can’t get refunds,” lamented McNamara. “After waiting 28 years for this moment, it feels like a real letdown.”
