Delta Air Lines handed out snacks and a thank-you speech to a cabin full of kilts somewhere over the Eastern Seaboard. It's a minor detail in the grand scheme of a World Cup, but it says everything about what Scotland's Tartan Army did to Boston.
As fans boarded a flight from Boston to Miami, a Delta staff member addressed the cabin directly — thanking supporters for the impact they'd had on the city. The airline had already leaned into the moment, offering priority boarding on selected flights for fans wearing kilts or carrying bagpipes. That's not standard airline hospitality. That's a city that actually enjoyed having them around.
Boston didn't just host Scotland — it claimed them
The Tartan Army took over the streets, colonised the bars, beat Haiti 1-0 in Foxborough, and then marched straight into Fenway Park for the Red Sox's Scottish Heritage Night. Thousands of Scotland fans in Blue Sox jerseys — yes, those exist — turned MLB's oldest ballpark into something resembling an away end. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said it felt like a soccer match. That was the idea.
Boston handed Scotland a memory before the football even got complicated. Now the football gets complicated.
Scotland need something from Brazil in Miami
Three points from two games. A win over Haiti, a 1-0 loss to Morocco. Brazil and Morocco sit on four points each at the top of Group C, Haiti are out. Steve Clarke's side need at least a draw against Brazil to feel safe — that would almost certainly secure a Round of 32 place either as group runners-up or as one of the better third-placed teams.
Win, and it's a historic result. A narrow defeat might still be enough depending on what else happens, but banking on that is not a plan.
Realistically, Scotland sneak through in third, then draw Germany, France, or Mexico. The Round of 32 is the sensible ceiling. That makes Scotland a risky proposition for anyone backing them deep into the tournament — the run has been charming, but the bracket is not kind. A Round of 16 appearance would require the draw to open up in ways it probably won't.
The flight south is done. The snacks are gone. Brazil is next.
