World Cup
Thousands of Scottish and Haitian soccer fans have taken over Boston over the last week — celebrating with locals, commandeering bars, and making treks down the “Cop Slide”.
Scottish fans has descended upon Boston over the past week. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — World Cup fever is officially back in Boston.
For the first time since 1994, Foxborough is playing host to World Cup action — with Scotland vs. Haiti on Saturday standing as the first of seven matches to take place at “Boston Stadium” during the anticipated international tournament.
The excitement is palpable across the globe every four years, and said enthusiasm has especially been evident in Boston over the past week as thousands of Scottish and Haitian fans have held court in the city as they get ready to cheer on their respective countries.
The Tartan Army have made their presence felt in Boston, with plenty of kilt-wearing fans commandeering bars, watercraft, and the infamous “Cop Slide” over the last few days.
As Scotland and Haiti get ready to play their first World Cup match since 1998 and 1974, respectively, here’s a look at some of the top videos of both Scottish and Haitian fans enjoying Boston:
Scots take over “Cop slide”
It was all but inevitable, wasn’t it?
After several nights of revelry and hijinks, Scottish fans discovered the viral “Cop Slide” at City Hall Plaza, with one fan taking part in the perilous playground gauntlet — while playing the bagpipes.
Boston cop goes viral
Connor Hardy — a sergeant for the Boston Police Department — has made the rounds on social media after he was captured on video juggling a soccer ball with fans during Boston’s Fan Fest at City Hall Plaza.
“When I went over there, I think they originally thought I was gonna steal the ball and be the fun police,” Hardy, a 14-year veteran of the police force, told The Boston Globe of the interaction with both U.S. and Scottish fans. “I actually just kind of did my thing with them, and it was fun, and it turned out funny.”
Hardy has some experience on the pitch, as he told reporters on Saturday that he played soccer in high school and at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.
“Never something I thought would happen,” Hardy said of his newfound fame. “It’s all good fun though — it’s great, the World Cup here in Boston.”
Those games have headers and volleys have spilled out into the streets of Boston over the last few days.
Anyone for a game of headers and volleys? ⚽️
Scotland fans did just that on the streets Boston 👊🏴 pic.twitter.com/PH9rWlrtn6
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 13, 2026
One if by land, two if by sea
The Scots had their sea legs earlier on Saturday, with hundreds of members of The Tartan Army celebrating on a boat out on Boston Harbor.
Taking over City Hall Plaza
Fans from several counties were more than happy to join in on the revelry for Team USA’s watch party on Friday at City Hall Plaza — with thousands celebrating amid the U.S.’ convincing win over Paraguay.
A convoy to Foxborough
The Tartan army arrived in Foxborough in style — taking several yellow school buses from both Boston and Providence.
A parade down Boylston
For all of the hoopla over Scottish takeover of several pubs, Haitian fans have also had plenty to celebrate ahead of their country’s first World Cup match in over 50 years. Ahead of kick-off, fans of “Les Grenadiers” held a parade down Boylston Street.
Haiti supporters in Boston bringing the party on their way to tonight’s match with Scotland, their first World Cup match in 52-years. 🇭🇹 pic.twitter.com/l8hopFPr23
— Jonathan Berk (@berkie1) June 13, 2026
Fenway Park takeover
Ahead of Saturday’s match, there was a pretty evident influx of kilts and tartan over at Fenway Park for Friday’s game between the Red Sox and Rangers.
Not the sport I came to the US to watch, but had the most incredible evening at Fenway last night! Somewhere I’ve always wanted to go, and it certainly didn’t disappoint, even if half the crowd were Scotland fans who’ve taken over Boston! ⚾️🍺🌭 pic.twitter.com/nCB21Jh39o
— George Mowat (@George_WCFC_WHU) June 13, 2026
An early wake-up call
Mike Morrison has gone viral after initially posting a video of an AirBnb near his home — with several Scottish fans playing the bagpipes at 6:30 in the morning. Since then, Morrison has become fast friends with his neighbors from across the pond — eventually earning a ticket to Saturday’s game.
In the dead of night the Scots arrived at the Airbnb across the street. Decked out and playing the pipes at 6:30 am. So it begins… pic.twitter.com/LczU1loVXp
— Mike Morrison (@MDMorrison82) June 11, 2026
Fans of Argentina
It wasn’t quite the usual blue-and-white found on the Scottish flag, but “The Tartan Army” was more than happy to lift up one rambunctious Argentina fan on early Friday morning.
It should come as little surprise that Scottish fans are united with Argentinian fans when it comes to their disdain for England — and an affinity for Diego Maradona.
Coneheads
No statue has been safe in Boston over the last few nights.
Discovering Boston institutions
Be it soaring down the “Cop Slide” or making the trek through Market Basket, it’s been an eye-opening experience for several Scots now that they’ve arrived in the Commonwealth.
Out on the town
Be it on the streets of Boston or several pubs, fans of both Scotland and Haiti have been out in full force over the last few days. Here are some other highlights:
Scotland’s raucous Tartan Army of supporters gathered in downtown Boston, with fans saying they had no qualms about the thousands of dollars they are spending to see their team return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence https://t.co/u02IAg4zo1 pic.twitter.com/aSrgjs3ctl
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 13, 2026
🎵 “We’ve got McGinn, super John McGinn!”
Scotland fans in full voice, ready for their World Cup opener! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/3hSfKAN3oh
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) June 13, 2026
Met some lovely guys who are supporting Haiti. I didn’t know it’s 52 years since they last qualified for the WC. Great chat, although we disagreed on who would win. Go Scotland 🏴🏴🏴 pic.twitter.com/zpN61mCbov
— Helen (@hjmcd20) June 13, 2026
Scottish fans managed to get a policeman wearing a Scotland shirt in Boston… 🏴😆👮♂️pic.twitter.com/BOWK9qKQVR
— The Away Fans (@theawayfans) June 13, 2026
Haitians and Scots dancing together near Gillette Stadium about four hours before their World Cup matchup. pic.twitter.com/c3Hp4B0JKv
— Onz Chéry 🇭🇹/ The Haitian Times (@Onz_11) June 13, 2026
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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