A Momentous Occasion for Scottish Football
For the first time in 25 years, and for the first time in my lifetime, Scotland has qualified for the World Cup. This momentous achievement brings not just jubilation but a sense of renewal for an entire generation.
Among the current national squad, nine players—Aaron Hickey, Anthony Ralston, Josh Doig, Andy Irving, Connor Barron, Billy Gilmour, Ben Gannon-Doak, Lewis Ferguson, and George Hirst—share in this joy, representing a group of players who have never experienced a World Cup before.
Scottish children over the past three decades have missed out on the thrill of wearing their national team’s colors to school or sharing in the exhilaration of watching World Cup matches in the classroom. They’ve never thrown a plastic cup of lukewarm beer into the air to celebrate a goal at the World Cup—that’s about to change.
As someone too young to have witnessed France ’98, I can’t help but look back fondly at the futile highs and lows that have defined Scotland’s recent football history. Names like Belgium 2001, Moldova 2004, and Ukraine 2022 ring in my ears. Each time, we rose with hope only to see it dashed, leaving a lasting mark on our collective psyche.
Before the pivotal game against Denmark, I reached out to my dad. Neither of us harbored much confidence—not because we lacked faith in our remarkable players, but rather due to an intrinsic Scottish instinct to guard against disappointment. That caution runs deeper than mere skepticism; it’s a cultural hallmark.
At what point does youthful optimism fade into evidence-based despair? Perhaps it happens right after your first taste of failure. I still recall the sting of heartbreak when Christian Panucci’s controversial injury-time winner in Euro 2008 qualifying sent us crashing out. Even as a six-year-old, I found solace in my father’s embrace.
The conversation we had before the game was heavy with apprehension. My father’s pessimism—a trait I now understand—had begun at five.
Scotland once exited the 1974 World Cup despite going undefeated, leaving generations to lament what could have been. My dad boasted memories of five out of six World Cup qualifications, a feat our current squad hasn’t matched in decades. It’s no wonder he approaches football with skepticism.
We’ve often discussed attending a World Cup together, though I never quite believed it would happen, especially after my father was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year. My optimism dwindled further in the shadow of that reality.
I can’t recall a time when the prospect of sharing a World Cup with my dad felt more precarious. Concerns about the big moments ahead in life—weddings, children—shook me, but thoughts of experiencing this monumental event alongside him consumed my mind.
Yet, just two and a half weeks ago, we received the news we had long hoped for: he was given the all-clear. No stray cells, no cancer. And with that relief, Scotland secured its World Cup spot.
As I reflect on this incredible journey, I feel fortunate. So many fans across generations have lost loved ones, yet here I stand with the opportunity to experience this moment with my dad. I urge every member of the Tartan Army to raise a toast to their cherished ones tonight, be they with us or no longer.
Dear Dad, we did it.
Get those flights booked; North America awaits us.
With love,
Adam
The draw for the 2026 World Cup is set for December 5 in Washington, D.C., marking an extraordinary new chapter in Scottish football. As excitement builds, President Trump is set to join FIFA President Gianni Infantino to unveil the group stage fixtures.
The 23rd edition of the FIFA Men’s World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, promising to be an event filled with anticipation, hope, and perhaps, at long last, success for the Scottish squad.
