The famous rallying cry of Scotland supporters — "No Scotland, No Party" — is set to return to the world's biggest football stage as the Tartan Army prepares for its long-awaited World Cup comeback.
For the first time in 28 years, Scotland will compete at a FIFA World Cup, bringing with them the noise, colour and passion that have made their supporters among the most celebrated in international football.
While Scotland's national team has struggled to make a lasting impact on major tournaments, their fans have earned a reputation as some of the best in the game. The Scots have never progressed beyond the group stage in 12 appearances across the World Cup and European Championship, but that has never stopped their supporters from stealing the spotlight.
At Euro 2024 in Germany, around 200,000 Scotland fans travelled across the country, earning widespread praise despite watching their side fail to win a match.
Now, thousands are expected to make the journey to North America for World Cup 2026, with Scotland set to play matches in Boston and Miami.
For many supporters, Scotland's return to the World Cup is a moment they feared might never come.
"If you would have told me 28 years ago that we wouldn't see another World Cup until now, I would've burst into tears," Scotland fan Niall Fitzgerald told AFP outside Hampden Park.
"But now that I'm going, I can barely believe it. Every day I think about nothing else. I'm beyond excited."
Scotland secured qualification with a memorable 4-2 victory over Denmark, a result that will live long in the memory of supporters. The significance of the achievement is reflected in the giant mural of Scott McTominay's spectacular overhead kick outside Hampden Park, while the iconic goal has also been featured on a limited-edition £20 banknote.
Scotland will begin their World Cup campaign against Haiti, a fixture many fans believe offers a genuine opportunity to open the tournament with a victory.
However, tougher challenges await. Steve Clarke's side will also face 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco and five-time world champions Brazil in a daunting group-stage schedule.
Supporter Ivor Much believes Scotland's fans will once again be among the tournament's biggest attractions.
"I think they'll bring a lot of drinking and partying. They'll be some of the best fans there," he said.
"I think it's a perfect match to have Brazil and Scotland together."
Despite the excitement surrounding qualification, many supporters have been left frustrated by the soaring cost of attending the tournament.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has even urged fans not to accumulate significant debt in their efforts to follow the national team across the Atlantic.
Category One tickets for Scotland's clash with Brazil were reportedly priced at $700, while secondary market prices have climbed into the thousands.
"The Polish fans held up a banner saying, 'Stolen from the poor, given to the rich,' and I think that sums it up," said supporter Steven Webster, who has attended every Scotland home match since football resumed after the coronavirus pandemic.
Unable to justify the expense, Webster is among many supporters choosing to watch the tournament from southern Spain, where Scotland fans are expected to gather in large numbers.
"The cost of going to America for the games — we could have bought a brand-new car for the same sort of money," Webster said.
"Instead, we're going to Spain. I am getting a bit of FOMO right now."
For those fortunate enough to make the trip to North America, the excitement is only beginning.
While rising costs have cast a shadow over the tournament experience, few believe anything could stop the Tartan Army from supporting Scotland on football's biggest stage.
"Everybody has got their hand out in this World Cup and it's been a bit of a shame," Fitzgerald said.
"But nothing would deter us from being there, whatever the cost.
"Everybody loves the Tartan Army. Even if they've never met us, they never want us to leave and always want us to come back again.
"That's what we're taking to the World Cup — the party."
