Seconds after Kenny McLean’s shot from the halfway line hit the back of the Danish net last November, Andy Munro’s children asked him: “Why are so many people crying?” The Ayrshire dad-of-three may have wiped away a few tears himself. Scotland’s 4-2 victory over Denmark booked the men’s team’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years, unleashing waves of emotion across the country.
Eight months later, as Scotland prepare to face Haiti in the early hours of Sunday, feverish anticipation has taken hold. Lucy McEwan, a 25-year-old teacher in Glasgow who plays for Linlithgow Rose, said: “People don’t really get behind the World Cup unless your country’s involved in it, and for the first time in a lot of people’s lives we are involved in it.” Her department bought the FIFA Panini sticker book, and pupils come in trading stickers. “Everyone just seems so excited about it,” she added.
“Scotland's first World Cup in 28 years sparks emotional build-up as Tartan Army descends on Boston.”
The excitement has spilled across the Atlantic. In Boston, where temperatures soar, the Tartan Army has filled the streets. “Every second person you see is from Scotland,” one fan told The Scotsman as the city braces for the opener.
Meanwhile, the United States – co-hosts with Mexico and Canada – open their campaign against Paraguay on Friday night in Inglewood, California. A jubilant Southern California crowd arrived early to cheer on a team led by midfielder Christian Pulisic, as the U.S. plays its first home World Cup in 32 years.
For Scottish families, the 02:00 BST kick-off against Haiti presents challenges. Andy Munro, who lives in Dunlop, Ayrshire, has three sons – Harry, 14, Keir, 12 and Adam, 10 – none of whom have seen the men’s team in a World Cup. “The timing of the Haiti game is causing some challenges,” he laughs. “I think we will go to bed about eight, and then wake up around half one to watch the game – and then the boys are all playing football on Sunday morning too. So we will see how it goes. It’s all they’re talking about.”