In Scotland, we’re proud to have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. This summer, Scotland will take part in the men's World Cup finals for the first time since 1998. It's a historic moment for the nation and a chance to come together and celebrate.
Whether you are a Scotland fan, have a connection to Scotland or just love football, we’re excited to see everyone get behind the national team.
Street Soccer Scotland
Football has the power to bring positive change to people’s lives. One of the initiatives focused on positive change through football is Street Soccer Scotland.
Inspired by the 2003 Homeless World Cup, David Duke, who was sleeping rough at the time, determined to make a difference secured a small grant from a social enterprise fund to start Street Soccer Scotland.
At the Homeless World Cup in 2007 David led Scotland to victory, but he says the build-up to it was more valuable:
“I’d find role models in the coaches and teammates. When you’re living in hostels, it can become easy to get into negative routines. It gave me some positive direction. Street Soccer has always been about scaling the impact. The idea was to have somewhere people can go every day where they can be part of a team and access support.”
In 2021 Street Soccer Scotland opened a permanent base, enabling access to not just fitness and mental health support, but help with housing, drug and alcohol support, and even opening bank accounts which formerly homeless players previously couldn't access.
Find out more about the inspiring work of Street Scotland Scotland (streetsoccerscotland.org)
Women in Soccer
Another organisation making a difference is Women in Soccer. Scottish co-founder, Pip Penman, is leading one of the biggest companies in its field in the USA, making football fairer for all.
Women in Soccer is a free national network connecting women and people with underrepresented gender identities to jobs in football. Regardless of income or geography, the community is a hub of resources and ensures everyone can access the support of leaders. Its mission is for members to experience the transformative power of football without judgment or prejudice.
Find out more about Women in Soccer (womeninsoccer.org)
An army of helpers
Scotland’s football supporters – also known as the Tartan Army – are known for taking their kilts and vocal support to games both at home and around the world. Although the results don’t always bring joy, the fans play their part in bringing their Scottish spirit wherever they go.
Two fan-led organisations have used football’s sense of community to inspire support for disadvantaged children.
The Tartan Army Children’s Charity (tartanarmychildrenscharity.org.uk) started out as an appeal linked to Scotland’s match in Ukraine in 2006 and now helps children both ‘home and away’.
The charity supports organisations for children in need around the world and inspires the next generation of players and fans by welcoming children into the football community through its ‘My First Scotland Match’ programme.
Another Scotland football charity was inspired by a young boy in need of a prosthesis after being injured in the Bosnian War. Now, the Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal (tasunshineappeal.scot) supports a local children’s organisation in each country where the Scotland team play an away game – helping to bring some ‘sunshine’ where it’s needed.
Craig Ferguson is also a well-known, dedicated Tartan Army superfan, famous for his extreme charity endurance treks to support Scotland’s national football team. He is walking 3,000 miles across the US in a kilt to raise funds for Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) to align with the 2026 World Cup.
Surprising facts about football in Scotland
Did you know:
- Scotland was one of the first modern footballing nations – with clubs formed as early as the 1860s.
- Scotland is a country of world-firsts, and this is also true of the sport we love. The first ever official international football match was played on St Andrew’s Day in 1872, when Scotland played England on a cricket ground in Glasgow in front of 4,000 spectators.
- The foundation stone of the World’s first enclosed purposefully built international football ground was discovered in Scotland. Find out more at Football’s Square Mile – The Hampden Collection.
- The world’s first penalty kick was awarded in Scotland, only five days after the rule was introduced by the Scottish Football Association. It was given to Airdrieonians against Royal Albert in 1891.
- Scots helped to shape football in South America – Edinburgh-educated Alexander Watson Hutton was the first ever president of the Argentine Association Football League.
Discover what Scotland has to offer
Whether you’re planning a visit, interested in being part of our global community or passionate about football, Scotland has so many amazing things to offer.