20 hours ago 3

Scotland loves Boston and Boston loves Scotland for 2026 World Cup

We might have a new city of brotherly love.

Scotland fans had a party like no other when their national team played their first two Group C matches in Boston for the 2026 World Cup. It's the country's first time in the tournament in 28 years. They beat Haiti 1-0 in their first match and lost to Morocco 0-1 in their second.

The Tartan Army reveled in the New England city, reportedly drinking a local bar out of 20 of its 24 beers on tap, per TODAY. A group of fans also delighted a neighborhood by playing bagpipes and wearing kilts at 6:30 a.m. Those are just some instances of the Scottish takeover that was plastered over social media.

As Scotland departs for Miami for their last group match against Brazil, the national team thanked the city of Boston on Saturday, June 20 in a social media post on X. They shared a series of photos of a traffic cone on a statue, Dawn the Duck leading a group of bagpipe players and a group of supporters on a boat.

"You’ve made us feel more than welcome in the time we’ve spent with you; you’ve made us feel part of your incredible city," the post said. "Thank you for your generosity and your wonderful hospitality."

And Boston loved Scotland right back.

The Boston Globe published a full-page thank you letter to the Tartan Army acknowledging the city's rich sports history. Gillette Stadium, where Scotland played their two matches, is home to six-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Fenway Park is a baseball cathedral that houses the nine-time World Series winners Red Sox. The Boston Bruins have hoisted the Stanley Cup six times. The Boston Celtics have won the NBA Finals a record 18 times.

But hosting Scotland was something special.

"You came for the World Cup, but gave us something more," the newspaper wrote. "For a week, you turned train stations into singalongs, Fenway into a football ground, and an ordinary June into something we'll be talking about for years.

"Boston has hosted championships, parades, and celebrations of every kind. But we've never hosted guests quite like you all. Thank you for the laughter, the bagpipes, and the memories. The World Cup will move on. So will the songs, but we'll never forget the joy you brought to our city."

More: Brazil defeats Haiti, sets up World Cup showdown with Scotland, shop tickets now