World Cup
Members of the Scotland national team got a “buzz” from the atmosphere in Boston before their 1-0 win over Haiti at the 2026 World Cup.
Scotland fans celebrate a goal in the first half of the 2026 World Cup Group C match between Haiti and Scotland at Boston Stadium on June 13, 2026 in Foxborough. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
June 14, 2026 | 4:05 PM
2 minutes to read
FOXBOROUGH — Since descending on Boston en masse last week ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the joy of Scotland’s fanbase (known as the Tartan Army) has been infectious.
After Scotland pulled off a 1-0 victory over Haiti in its opening match at “Boston Stadium” (Gillette Stadium) Saturday night, members of the national team shared that they felt the love and enthusiasm as well.
In a post-match Q&A, Scotland attacking midfielder Lewis Ferguson told reporters that members of the team took a walk around Boston ahead of the match, and feeling the energy of the city buoyed the team.
“We went on a walk today in the city, and it was filled with Scotland fans,” Ferguson said. “It gave us that little buzz coming into the game.”
From last night: Scotland’s Lewis Ferguson talking about how the energy in Boston from the Tartan Army gave the team “a buzz” before their match against Haiti. pic.twitter.com/CWDt7e3WCD
— Kevin Slane (@kslane) June 14, 2026
Even players that worked hard to focus and block out the external noise, like Scotland captain Andy Robertson, said that they took notice of the Tartan Army invasion.
“Our families are here, so I’ve seen pictures,” Robertson said in a pre-match presser. “All my friends and family are over here. Every flight they were on, it was filled with Tartan Army wherever they went. […] We know how long they’ve been waiting for this moment.”
Following full-throated renditions of “Loch Lomond” and “Flower of Scotland” sung by the lion’s share of the 64,146 fans at Boston Stadium, Scotland’s fans were in full voice from the opening whistle.
Their raucous support was rewarded in the 28th minute with a goal from midfield John McGinn.
In postgame remarks, McGinn made a winking reference to the significant traffic delays from Boston to Foxborough, which he said gave him plenty of time before the match to visualize a positive result.
“I promised myself driving up to the stadium — it was a long drive, as well — I promised myself that I would be positive, try things, and if it didn’t come off, try again,” McGinn said.
Thanks to Brazil and Morocco drawing 1-1 earlier in the day, Scotland currently sit atop Group C with three points.
Both Brazil and Morocco are in the top 10 of FIFA’s world rankings, however, and McGinn acknowledged that the team must improve before its game on Friday against Morocco at Boston Stadium.
“Can we play a bit better? Of course we can,” McGinn said. “In the games against Morocco and Brazil we have a few more gears to go up.”
For one night, though, the team could relish its first victory at a World Cup since 1990, and appreciate the positive atmosphere in Boston and Boston Stadium.
“When the final whistle blew and the music was on, you [saw] that reaction from the fans and the players,” Ferguson said. “It was pretty special.”
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