Heads are already turning in Boston as Scotland return to the FIFA World Cup after a 28-year absence and their fans are already turning heads. Kilt-clad Scottish fans proudly revealed they had “run out of beer” on a seven-hour flight across the Atlantic as they landed at Boston International Airport ahead of Saturday’s match against Haiti.
“I’ve been drinking since one o’clock in the morning when I woke up,” Scottish fan David Wood said after arriving on US soil. “We’re out of beer.” And once the beer was emptied, Scottish fans revealed they turned first to wine and then whiskey on the flight.
“There was a standing ovation when we landed,” added Wood. “I don’t know if you do that here. It’s a very Scottish thing. “I’m going to find out cheers. That’s what I want to do. I want to find Cheers, he told CBS, holding a bottle of whiskey.
🏴| The Tartan Army deserved something special.
We have teamed up with world famous people @Edinburgh Tattoo To give a proper send-off to the Tartan Army on its way to America.
Come on Scotland!🤞🏴 pic.twitter.com/9DAhgH9EKW
— Edinburgh Airport (@EDI_Airport) 11 June 2026
After landing in the early hours of Thursday morning, even the locals in Boston enjoyed the Scottish when they landed at their Air BnB stay. In videos going viral, some fans got into the early-morning party mood, wearing kilts and playing bagpipes, waking up the hosts and locals.
Known as the Tartan Army, some Scottish fans didn’t seem ready for the heat when they landed in Boston.
“It was very humid when I got off the plane. I don’t do well in the heat, but we’ll find out,” said Adam Cook.
🏴 Scottish fans are officially in Massachusetts for the World Cup—and they started the day by blowing bagpipes at 6:30 a.m. 😅 pic.twitter.com/GrZjcOPZKT
— PurelyFootball ℗ (@PurelyFootball) 11 June 2026
According to a report, a majority of people have come without tickets for the match, but were hoping to get one before the game. “Tickets went up to about $1,200 when they first went on sale. Now they’re not selling and are down to $500,” Alan Begg said.
“We’ve been cheated – for what it is, but we’re still smiling,” added Carol McNamara. “We’re going into the fan zone and we’ve got tickets to a pub.”
The attack comes as Scottish soccer fans, known as the “Tartan Army”, descend on Boston for the World Cup.
What to know before matches: https://t.co/6RHqtyUMcA #worldcup #TartanArmy #Boston #Haiti #FIFA pic.twitter.com/f37i2HBvPb
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) 9 June 2026
Like fans from many countries around the world, Scottish fans also revealed that they faced difficulties in obtaining visas to the USA after their application status was changed or rejected in the electronic system for travel authorization.
While some were lucky enough to land in the USA, many stayed behind. “People spend thousands upon thousands of pounds and you can’t get your money back,” McNamara said. “When you’ve waited 28 years, that’s a kick in the teeth.”