Scotland’s men’s national football team has finally broken a nearly three-decade drought, clinching a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park. The win, sealed by goals from Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland, Kieran Tierney, and Kenny McLean, has catapulted the Tartan Army into a frenzy of celebration and anticipation, as fans begin plotting their journeys across the Atlantic for what promises to be the biggest World Cup ever staged.
The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, kicks off on June 11 and will feature a record 48 nations. It’s a historic moment for Scotland, whose last World Cup appearance was in 1998—back when the Scottish Parliament was just a dream and Google hadn’t even been founded. For many fans, the memory of that campaign in France remains bittersweet, but this qualification has unleashed a new wave of optimism and pride.
“The Scotland team has made history and made the country proud,” declared Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland. “The Tartan Army now has the chance to see the country at its first World Cup for almost three decades.”
Supporters are already navigating the logistical maze of transatlantic travel. With 16 host cities spread across three vast countries, the uncertainty of Scotland’s group stage locations—set to be revealed only at the draw on December 5, 2025—hasn’t stopped fans from making early plans. Travel experts like Simon Calder, correspondent for the Independent, are encouraging fans to act fast. “It’s never too early to start planning travel to a big sporting event,” Calder told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland. “Sixteen days from now... all of this will be revealed at least at the group stages, at which point prices for flights and accommodation will go stratospheric. So you could – and this is my strategy – take a guess on a transatlantic flight now.”
Packages are already on the market, with Barrhead Travel offering three nights in New York for £2,659 per person and 11 nights in California for £3,999. For those feeling particularly optimistic, American Airlines flights from Edinburgh to Philadelphia are available the day before the tournament begins, returning after the group games, for just over £700. JetBlue tickets from Edinburgh to New York around the final are going for £750. Calder estimates there’s about a 40% chance Scotland will play in the eastern host cities—a tempting gamble for early bookers.
But travel isn’t the only concern. Advice Direct Scotland has published a comprehensive travel checklist, warning fans about the importance of passport and visa requirements, potential scams, and the risk of last-minute venue changes. UK fans are reminded to ensure their passports are valid for at least six months after their return date. Entry to the United States requires an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or a visa, while Canada demands either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Mexico remains the simplest: UK citizens can enter as tourists with a passport stamp indicating their permitted length of stay.
“Supporters have already been urged to book flights early if they want the best prices, because as soon as the fixtures are announced, fares will be pushed up,” Bartlett noted. “But anyone planning to travel should remember that although booking early will save money, it is a gamble when we don’t yet know where Scotland will be playing. Travel insurance is a must, and supporters should also consider flexible booking options.”
For accommodation, the picture is mixed. Some fans have been startled by hotel prices—rooms in Vancouver and Boston have been spotted at £500 per night—but Calder counsels patience. “All of the host cities have huge amounts of accommodation. I think those rates are going to come down, and so I would very happily leave it until a few weeks before, or even a few days beforehand, to get accommodation. Anybody who has been to America will know that there’s always a small town 30 miles outside with plenty of motels strung out along the highway.”
On the ticketing front, FIFA has introduced a dynamic pricing model for the 2026 tournament, meaning prices for high-demand matches could surge in later sales periods. More than 4.5 million people entered a draw for the first batch of tickets in October. General admission for the opening match in the USA ranges from $560 (£417) to $2,235 (£1,662), while final tickets are listed as high as $6,000 (£4,462). Notably, FIFA will charge a 15% fee to both buyers and sellers for ticket resales via its official platform. Fans are strongly advised to purchase tickets only through FIFA’s official channels to avoid scams and the risk of being denied entry.
The format for the expanded World Cup will see 48 teams placed into 12 groups of four, with the host nations—Canada, Mexico, and the USA—already assigned to specific groups. As of November 18, 2025, 42 teams have secured qualification, including Scotland, with six more to be determined via playoffs in March. The group stage will run from June 11 to June 27, followed by knockout rounds up to July 7, quarter-finals on July 9, semi-finals on July 14, and the grand final set for July 19.
For Scotland’s fans, the sense of occasion is enormous. Hampden Park’s celebrations after the win over Denmark were electric. Supporter Hamish Husband told BBC Radio Scotland, “I was crying, I was weeping, I looked around at other people crying.” His son Elliott added, “My voice is gone since the fourth one went in. The stars really aligned, didn’t they?” Former player Darren Jackson praised the team’s attitude: “The resilience, the attitude, the desire and commitment of this squad is beyond belief. It was an incredible night.”
Politicians have joined in the national jubilation, with calls for manager Steve Clarke to be knighted and even suggestions of a holiday on the opening match day. The team’s achievement has been likened to the legendary 1978 squad, with John Collins remarking, “You’ll never watch another game and see three fantastic goals like that. If there was a World Cup given for spirit and determination we’d have it on the shelf just now.”
With just weeks until the group stage draw, the excitement is only building. The Tartan Army is on the march again, this time with history, hope, and a plane ticket in hand. As the world’s biggest football tournament looms, Scotland’s faithful are ready to paint North America blue.
