What Scotland taught us during their legendary Boston week at the World Cup | Chris Mason

June 20, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

FOXBOROUGH — As thousands of Scots sang together, I felt the moment’s magnitude. The sound thundered through my bones as I watched from the concourse above.

Scotland hadn’t been to the World Cup in 28 years. When the Tartan Army finally had a chance to sing “Flower of Scotland” ahead of a match against Haiti, I could hear how long they’d waited. The anthem was brimming with passion, pride — and was loud as hell.

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“When the national anthem gets played, it’s incredible stuff,” Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson said.

This trip to the States was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those Scots. I didn’t expect it to be one for us, too.

In 12 years as a sportswriter, I’ve been fortunate to cover a World Series, a Super Bowl, and traveled much of the country as a beat writer. I’ve never seen anything like the atmosphere the Tartan Army created at Gillette Stadium this week.

The joy Scottish World Cup fans brought to our region is a wonderful reminder: Sports are supposed to be fun. In championship-or-bust Boston, it can be too easy to lose sight of that, especially in an era of rage-baiting radio hosts.

On Friday night, the Scots allowed a Moroccan goal 70 seconds into their 1-0 loss. That didn’t matter. The Tartan Army still brought the juice for 90 minutes (plus stoppage time). Nothing could curb their enthusiasm as they tried to will their side back.

“We will match absolutely anybody for team spirit,” Ferguson said. “I don’t care how talented. Of course there’s a lot of talented players in this competition and (on) the Scottish squad, but we would be the last ones to give up on anything.”

Scottish and Moroccan fans gather at Gillette Stadium for a World Cup Match on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Foxborough.

Scottish fans gather at Gillette Stadium for a World Cup Match on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Foxborough.

Moroccan fans dispute a referee's call at Gillette Stadium for a World Cup Match on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Foxborough.

Scottish and Moroccan fans gather at Gillette Stadium for a World Cup Match on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Foxborough.

Moroccan fans beat a drum during a World Cup match against Scotland on Friday, June 19, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

Moroccan fans gather at Gillette Stadium for a World Cup Match on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Foxborough.

Scottish fans gather at Gillette Stadium for a World Cup Match on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Foxborough.

Sights and scenes from the World Cup at Gillette Stadium where Scotland and Morocco played against each other on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Foxborough.

I didn’t arrive at the World Cup as a major soccer fan.

Like many American kids, I played growing up, but opted for football when the time came to make a decision between the two. My World Cup assignment has been to capture the spirit, not the X’s and O’s. I’d be woefully unqualified for that. If asked to rank my favorite sports, I’d put America’s Big Four before soccer.

But taking backroads to the stadium on Friday afternoon — traffic remains a nightmare — I totally whiffed on a turn because I was so excited to be back at another World Cup game.

And while the soccer is obviously terrific, that excitement stemmed from the fans more than the game itself. I was daydreaming about fans belting “Flower of Scotland” instead of paying attention to my GPS.

The Tartan Army takeover has a Grinchy sportswriter’s heart swelling three times its size. It’s refreshing to see so many relishing the camaraderie sports can create.

Though I’ve got some Scottish blood — my mother’s maiden name is McClallen — I’d never felt a particularly close kinship because I’m a mutt who can claim heritage with half of Western Europe.

That changed this week.

During their stay in Boston, the Scots frolicked with a fun-loving revelry and generosity in a league of its own. They donated thousands of dollars to a number of worthy local causes including Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown.

They delivered a legendary week, both in the stadium and outside of it. The deafening national anthem ahead of their 1-0 win over Haiti was just their opening number. The Tartan Army spent the entire evening chanting and singing. It’s the loudest fan support I’ve heard.

I left the crusty press box for the first half to watch outside with the fans because the atmosphere was magnificent. Listening to futbol fans sing for their country was a welcome change of pace from hearing football writers complain about the free food.

The Scots also forged a genuine connection with the Haitian fans, fellow tournament long-shots. There were countless photographs, handshakes and smiles between the two fanbases making their first World Cup appearances of the 21st century.

During the week between their two games, the Tartan Army made its presence felt in Boston. The Scots drank several bars out of beer — including the Sam Adams brewery — and took over Fenway Park. Amid a dead season for the Red Sox, Scottish fans brought some fun back to Sunday Night Baseball.

“No Scotland, no party!” chants replaced “sell the team!” for a night.

Yes, of course the home team still lost — it’s what they do at Fenway — but the kilted environment was incredible. The ballpark was alive again.

“The city of Boston has took to the Tartan Army so well,” Ferguson said. “It makes you proud. It makes you proud to be Scottish.”

Capitalizing on Boston’s temporary 3 a.m. last call, Scottish fans were the best kind of rowdy — boisterous but not reckless. After a gathering of 1,800-2,000 fans at a local park by Fenway, a city worker told NBC the Scots were so tidy that he didn’t need any help cleaning up.

“They can drink! They must have no water over there in Scotland,” he laughed. “After they’re gone, I’m one person cleaning up after them. And it ain’t that bad. They came, conducted themselves with class and dignity. And they like our city, so I’m happy they came.”

They were the personification of good cheer.

All told, the Scots won one game, lost one game and the Tartan Army added plenty of new fans to its ranks.

Including me.

More by Chris Mason

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