According to projections from Tourism Economics reported by The New York Times, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to attract around 1.2 million international soccer fans to the United States. The tournament started last week, and visitors are already making their way into host cities for the festivities. In fact, analysts are now seeing an even brighter forecast for U.S. tourism during this period.
Many of these visitors include soccer fans from Scotland. The national team is competing in its first World Cup in almost thirty years, which has encouraged tens of thousands of fans to travel across the Atlantic.
In Boston, one of the tournament’s host cities, Scottish supporters have become a familiar sight, with blue-and-white jerseys, kilts, and Saltire flags. Local tourism officials say these supporters have brought positive energy to the city, while Americans online have been sharing stories about their encounters with the Tartan Army.
However, despite the boisterous atmosphere and celebrations of Scotland’s return to the World Cup, not every supporter has had a smooth journey to the United States.
Boston Says Scotland’s Tartan Army Is Bringing “Palpable Joy” To The City
The Boston tourism board has said that the Tartan Army is bringing “palpable joy” to the city ahead of the team’s first World Cup match in 28 years. Since the start of the World Cup, videos of Scottish fans singing and gathering in the streets have gained popularity on social media.
The number of visitors has surprised even local tourism officials. Meet Boston, the city’s tourism organization, estimates that at least 40,000 Scottish supporters traveled to Massachusetts for the tournament.
In a statement, a Meet Boston spokesperson told The Herald, “To say the impact has been significant would be a major understatement. The Tartan Army is omnipresent across town, and their energy and joy [are] so palpable.”
The excitement has extended beyond the supporters themselves. Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, and several other Scottish celebrities, including Gerard Butler, singer Clare Grogan, and chef Gordon Ramsay, traveled to Boston for the team’s opening match.
“There are thousands and thousands of Scotland fans who have made the journey, and the atmosphere is lively, it’s positive. It’s great weather, and people are having a great time and engaging with the local community here in Boston. Everyone has had such a warm welcome from the Boston community, so it’s a fantastic situation to be part of,” Swinney said to the Press Association.
Scottish fans have definitely embraced their time in Boston, but many Americans say the Tartan Army has become one of the most memorable groups of visitors they’ve encountered during the World Cup.
Americans Say Scottish Fans Are Their Favorite World Cup Tourists
As photos and videos of Scotland supporters celebrating in Boston spread online, many Americans have been sharing their own positive experiences with the visiting fans.
On Facebook, several commenters praised the positive atmosphere they have brought to Boston. Additionally, a Boston local claimed they had witnessed acts of kindness from fans around the city, including helping an elderly woman change the tires on her car and helping a cat stranded in a tree.
Commenters’ Reactions To Scotland Fans In Boston:
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“‘Palpable Joy!’ Lord knows we could use a healthy dose of that! Thank you, Tartan Army!” |
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“I love the fresh energy in our city, [it] makes me happy!” |
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“I’m a Boston resident, and I witnessed some really nice things, such as a rather large Scottish fan changing the tires of an old lady’s car, and one rescued a cat from a tree. Wonderful people.” |
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“Best fans ever, loyal to the team and their country.” |
However, while tens of thousands of Scottish fans successfully made the journey to the United States, not everyone who planned to attend Scotland’s World Cup matches was able to get there without complications.
Some Scottish Fans Have Faced Last-Minute Travel Authorization Problems
For some Scottish soccer fans, traveling to the United States has come with unexpected issues due to the country’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which may soon require applicants to submit five years of social media history before approval.
One of those fans was Michael Wright, who, according to BBC Scotland News, had planned to celebrate his 30th birthday by traveling to the World Cup with his brother. Instead, he was stranded at Manchester Airport after discovering that his previously approved travel authorization had been revoked with no warning.
Other soccer fans traveling from Scotland, including Scott Braid from Kirkcaldy and Kenny Smith from Inverness, also saw approved ESTAs revoked just days before the World Cup tournament.
According to The Times, both had spent thousands of dollars on flights and accommodations before learning their travel plans had been derailed. And if they hope to make it to the games, they would need to jump through additional hoops.
“There’s just really no time left to get that through in time. I’ve got an appointment in the embassy in Belfast next Thursday. That’s the day before I fly. But what they’ve said is when you have your interview, it takes three to five days to process, and then they have to send the visa out to you,” Braid told The Times.
The U.S. government has previously warned that ESTA approvals can be denied or revoked if applicants fail to disclose information that could affect their eligibility.
According to a statement reported by CBS News, Department of Homeland Security Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said that omissions involving arrests or criminal convictions specifically can result in an ESTA denial or revocation.
“Failure to disclose arrests or convictions constitutes misrepresentation and can lead to ESTA denial, revocation, or a permanent bar from entering the United States,” said Bis.
The U.S. government has also recently warned that influencers creating content during the 2026 FIFA World Cup could face additional scrutiny, as “enter[ing] the United States under a visitor program and receiv[ing] income from a U.S. source would be violating the conditions of their admission status.” It’s unknown if any of the Scottish soccer fans who had their ESTAs revoked were affected by this recent crackdown.
Fortunately, travel authorization issues appear to have affected only a small number of travelers. For the tens of thousands of Scottish fans who successfully made the trip, the focus remains on celebrating their team’s long-awaited return to the World Cup. And judging by the reactions from Bostonians and other Americans on social media, the Tartan Army has already made a lasting impression.
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