Who is not going?

[TDYER63]

3 hours ago, DoonTheSlope said:

I get you. Last year I had zero intentions of attending the USA leg of the World Cup if that maniac kiddy sniffer Biden or the unhinged bunny boiler took office

But by the grace of god the US election was too big to rig and the grown ups took charge in the Oval Office

I’m praying for the USA opener so I could be in the presence of greatness with President Donald J Trump at the US leg opening ceremony

🙋‍♀️

[TDYER63]

15 hours ago, ceudmilefailte said:

This thread is too depressing even for me. 
 

I would have thought the title would have given a bit of a hint of what to expect 😁 There are hunners of happy threads on the go , dont begrudge a bit of a moan for folk that are a bit pissed off.
Is it not better having it all on the one thread than dampen everyone’s excitement on the other threads? 

Just read that you wont know if you have a ticket till February. WTAF. You can add that to my list of moans too ! 

Thank god for the Christmas Tree thread 🎄. 

[ceudmilefailte]

5 minutes ago, TDYER63 said:

I would have thought the title would have given a bit of a hint of what to expect 😁 There are hunners of happy threads on the go , dont begrudge a bit of a moan for folk that are a bit pissed off.
Is it not better having it all on the one thread than dampen everyone’s excitement on the other threads? 

Just read that you wont know if you have a ticket till February. WTAF. You can add that to my list of moans too ! 

Thank god for the Christmas Tree thread 🎄. 

Think I’ll go to America and not go to any games having seen the ticket buying process 

[TDYER63]

14 hours ago, alfaetrin said:

Well, I'm old enough and lucky enough to have attended many football tournaments in which Scotland have participated: Spain 1982, Mexico 1986, Italy 1990, Sweden Euros 1992, England Euros 1996, France 1998 and Germany 2024.

So, this time, I am seriously considering giving it a miss, and just enjoying the matches on the telly in the house or, more likely, down the local on the big screen. I actually really enjoyed watching the Denmark game in the house. I was completely sober, and I had a really great view of the action although, of course , I missed out on the atmosphere of the occasion.

The prices and logistics of travel and ticketing for World Cup 2026 are simply ridiculous, and perhaps I am now too old (67) to be subjecting myself to the usual stresses, challenges and expenses. Mates feel the same, as the usual pre-tourney discussions about road trips, accommodation options and chasing down tickets are not taking place.

Time, perhaps, to leave the experience of the occasion to the next generation, most of whom will never yet have savoured the incredible highs and lows of watching Scotland play at a World Cup.

If a younger fan were to ask me : "Will it all be worth it if I go?", my answer is an unequivocal YES. So, never mind the expense, just go for it, have fun, and go there and make some memories that will last you a lifetime.

I am really envious that you managed to get to so many WC’s.  If its any consolation I think you probably got the best of the times in as much as actual football is concerned. 

I get your points with regards getting a bit older and the effort it takes . I am a slightly younger than you but already feel the travelling takes it out me more than even 5 years ago. When I see fans a fair bit older than me , in their 70’s and sometimes 80’s , making all the effort to get places it really impresses me. 
I just wish there was a way to capture the energy I had in my 40’s and 50’s . I didnt care how long it took me or where I stayed. But when you start checking out the comfort of the beds in hotels on booking.com you know you are on the wrong side of youth 😁

Wherever we end up watching the games I know we will be cheering as loud as we would in the stadium.  And I am pretty sure you will manage the next WC given its a bit closer to home. 
Will we qualify? Of course we will qualify, no doubt whatsoever in my mind !  ( lifting the mood here for Ceudmilefailte and Friday). 

[phart]

On 12/4/2025 at 8:50 AM, dezmondo said:

I'm 45 years old and like most folk my age, I haven't been to a World Cup to watch Scotland. I've been waiting and praying since France 98, and now that we've qualified, I can't believe I'm not going to go.

I went to all of the Euros matches, took my son, did a charity run around Munich, and had a great time. But this tournament just doesn't feel right.

Obviously the costs of travel and hotels is expensive, and that is what it is. There's just so much else that has really annoyed me.

- price of tickets is shocking.

- allowing tickets to be resold at stupid prices.

- low ticket allocation.

- teams potentially playing in three different cities and possibly 1500+ miles between them - no care for the fans at all, this doesn't normally happen and is just another method to get fans to spend more money.

- FIFA generally making the rules up as they go - the draw, Ronaldo ban etc.

- stadiums being in poor locations combined with poor public transport. I've been to a couple of events in the USA before and if you think getting back from Hampden to Glasgow is bad, you ain't seen nothing yet.

My friends and I have actually decided that we're going to go to a European city for a holiday and watch the games there instead.

So, yeah, despite having accommodation options with friends in USA it just doesn't sit right with me giving a corrupt organisation like FIFA my money. It's hard to justify spending potentially 5k to go to a football match. I'll just have to hope my FOMO isn't off the scale next summer!

I was all up for going until the last couple of weeks when i tried planning stuff and having a look. I just feel like i am getting fleeced to fuck at every turn. Really put a dampner on things. I can sort of afford some of it, but ...

[McExpat]

On 12/4/2025 at 9:50 AM, dezmondo said:

I'm 45 years old and like most folk my age, I haven't been to a World Cup to watch Scotland. I've been waiting and praying since France 98, and now that we've qualified, I can't believe I'm not going to go.

I went to all of the Euros matches, took my son, did a charity run around Munich, and had a great time. But this tournament just doesn't feel right.

Obviously the costs of travel and hotels is expensive, and that is what it is. There's just so much else that has really annoyed me.

- price of tickets is shocking.

- allowing tickets to be resold at stupid prices.

- low ticket allocation.

- teams potentially playing in three different cities and possibly 1500+ miles between them - no care for the fans at all, this doesn't normally happen and is just another method to get fans to spend more money.

- FIFA generally making the rules up as they go - the draw, Ronaldo ban etc.

- stadiums being in poor locations combined with poor public transport. I've been to a couple of events in the USA before and if you think getting back from Hampden to Glasgow is bad, you ain't seen nothing yet.

My friends and I have actually decided that we're going to go to a European city for a holiday and watch the games there instead.

So, yeah, despite having accommodation options with friends in USA it just doesn't sit right with me giving a corrupt organisation like FIFA my money. It's hard to justify spending potentially 5k to go to a football match. I'll just have to hope my FOMO isn't off the scale next summer!

What about going to Mexico, in a non host city, for a holiday ? 

[Hertsscot]

On 12/4/2025 at 12:10 PM, TDYER63 said:

Doubt we will be going. For all the reasons already mentioned its the least excited I have felt for a draw in a long time despite being a member of the supporters club for 20 years.

I will consider it if we draw games outside USA but wont be travelling to the USA . Dont expect anyone to understand my reasons but I have binned any travel to USA whilst Trump is in office. If my husband really wanted to go I would hold my nose and go, but he is pissed off too with the other stuff and isn’t too fussed . We have not long retired so could use pension lump sum to help with the cost, but it really sticks in ma craw to fork out the money for this . 

Appreciate everyone has different priorities and that this is a brilliant , exciting time for fans and are therefore willing to push the boat out. 

I'm with you. If there had been a game in Canada I might have been tempted but Trump land is far less appealing, though I'm sure the locals will be great.

[StirlingEgg]

On 12/4/2025 at 4:47 PM, Clyde1998 said:

I wonder if the SFA has a good opportunity to get some screens up at Hampden and sell tickets to our matches throughout the tournament. Ideally in sites outside Glasgow too.

Don't know how much doing this would cost, so couldn't say how much they would need to charge to break even (keeping in mind catering could be provided too), but having some sort of mass event for fans to gather in Scotland would be good.

Maybe that's what got Barclays interested, us qualifying! Be nice if most of the local grounds all hosted events 👍

[Robbo `81]

As a massive NY Giants fan I've always thought / said that the ultimate for me would be to see Scotland play a World Cup game at Giants Stadium but now that's looking like it's actually going to happen I simply, honestly can't be a***ed.

It's not 'political' - currently in New York on hols as it happens- and nothing against the stadium - Despite what others will tell you, personally I love Metlife / Giants Stadium - But as others have said, being of a 'certain age' and having seen Scotland in a World Cup already, just don't think I can be bothered with all the hassle - The length of time to even read through the email about the ticket application process alone was ridiculous far less the palaver of actually getting tickets.

 

[Flying Fish]

22 minutes ago, Robbo `81 said:

As a massive NY Giants fan I've always thought / said that the ultimate for me would be to see Scotland play a World Cup game at Giants Stadium but now that's looking like it's actually going to happen I simply, honestly can't be a***ed.

It's not 'political' - currently in New York on hols as it happens- and nothing against the stadium - Despite what others will tell you, personally I love Metlife / Giants Stadium - But as others have said, being of a 'certain age' and having seen Scotland in a World Cup already, just don't think I can be bothered with all the hassle - The length of time to even read through the email about the ticket application process alone was ridiculous far less the palaver of actually getting tickets.

 

We will probably get Boston for the Haiti gamer.  Cant see FIFA giving the biggest capacity stadium to us and not Brazil.

[ceudmilefailte]

9 minutes ago, Flying Fish said:

We will probably get Boston for the Haiti gamer.  Cant see FIFA giving the biggest capacity stadium to us and not Brazil.

It’s a draw. 
 

lol

[Bristolhibby]

25 minutes ago, Flying Fish said:

We will probably get Boston for the Haiti gamer.  Cant see FIFA giving the biggest capacity stadium to us and not Brazil.

Thats my thinking. Will be pleasantly surprised if it’s NYC, but they want Brazil in the opener in NY. 
 

J

[DesiScotsman]

1 hour ago, Flying Fish said:

We will probably get Boston for the Haiti gamer.  Cant see FIFA giving the biggest capacity stadium to us and not Brazil.

That's what I'm thinking as well. Won't be surprised if both our opening games are in Boston as FIFA will want to give Brazil the biggest grounds possible in the group (MD1 - NY & MD2 - Philadelphia). Our game agaisnt them will be in Atlanta rather than Miami as it's a bigger stadium.

[adamntg]

Two games in Boston will be fine. 

[DoonTheSlope]

Just now, adamntg said:

Two games in Boston will be fine. 

Two games in Boston and the worlds our oyster

Goals from the halfway line and Mctominee

 

World cup songs thread for this 

[killiefaetheferry]

Managed Euro 96 for Switzerland at Villa Park and had 14 away before our first child arrived. He’s now 14 and we had a discussion about the football budget. We watch Killie home and away every week so it’s now club before country for us. Can’t afford both. 

[Tartanclaret]

19 hours ago, phart said:

I was all up for going until the last couple of weeks when i tried planning stuff and having a look. I just feel like i am getting fleeced to fuck at every turn. Really put a dampner on things. I can sort of afford some of it, but ...

Same here. I had a shuftie at jersey hotels and cheapest for one week was 2000 quid . 3hours away from the Boston footie ground but there is a fan zone in liberty park. The cost is going to be stupid . Think I’ll stay in Pattaya 

[Craigy85]

I would love to have gone, to even be part of it as I was 12 when I last watched us in a world cup.  I was hoping it would have been Canada as a US visa is the issue.  I was in cuba a few years ago (applies to anyone who has been there even for a day since 2021) having one of the best holidays ever.  Because of trump I would need to go to the embassy in London just because I visited a country that he classes as a terrorist state.  The addrd cost of that on top of being there is just far to expensive.  Its annoying but truth be told im glad I had that experience of Cuba.  Hopefully we will make the next euros or world cup and I can go to cheer us on.  No scotland no party.....good luck boys and to anyone going stay safe and have fun.

[Clootie Dumpling]

I bit the bullet this morning and applied for my ESTA. Anyone need a kidney? Motorbike and car maybe available after Scotland lift the trophy. 

 

[BryanBlessed]

Probably not going. The costs are just too high. I'd probably have to apply for a visa (another cost) too due to a youthful misadventure that wasn't serious but would get an ESTA denied (or so I've heard). I can't imagine I'm the only one on that particular boat.

[TDYER63]

8 minutes ago, BryanBlessed said:

Probably not going. The costs are just too high. I'd probably have to apply for a visa (another cost) too due to a youthful misadventure that wasn't serious but would get an ESTA denied (or so I've heard). I can't imagine I'm the only one on that particular boat.

Definitely the most interesting reason for not going ! 😁

If you change your mind on the cost you might be surprised about the ESTA.  I know someone who expected to get rejected but got one a few months ago for NYC. And their misadventure was only about 10 yrs ago. 

[BryanBlessed]

9 minutes ago, TDYER63 said:

Definitely the most interesting reason for not going ! 😁

If you change your mind on the cost you might be surprised about the ESTA.  I know someone who expected to get rejected but got one a few months ago for NYC. And their misadventure was only about 10 yrs ago. 

I think a lot of people lie on it but I would be obviously stressed when passing border control. That's interesting what you say, though. It's a bit ridiculous denying an ESTA for something so minor. I'm applying for French nationality and I just have to show a clean record for the past few years in France. 

[DoonTheSlope]

GET THIS CUNTING AMAZON ADVERT TAE FUCK

[Ally Bongo]

Decided to go with Benidorm instead from Sat 13th June to Wed 1st July 

I've been to two World Cups and am now at the age where an adventure would just be an ordeal 

I would have to be guaranteed a ticket, be situated in the centre of the city where the game is and have someone organise me transport to the stadium and back - I used to do this thankless task myself 

Paying mega bucks to stay half an hour from Boston is not ideal 

Not to mention i would probably need to fly from anywhere other than Glasgow 

Paid £2200 for two of us to go to Benidorm - includes swanky apartment in great location, supermarket next door. two toilets and two bedrooms 

Flights from Glasgow with Easyjet and insurance paid for 

Would have been double that to get to Boston and then also fork out spending money 

Tdyer you can come if you want 

[fringo]

14 minutes ago, Ally Bongo said:

Decided to go with Benidorm instead from Sat 13th June to Wed 1st July 

I've been to two World Cups and am now at the age where an adventure would just be an ordeal 

I would have to be guaranteed a ticket, be situated in the centre of the city where the game is and have someone organise me transport to the stadium and back - I used to do this thankless task myself 

Paying mega bucks to stay half an hour from Boston is not ideal 

Not to mention i would probably need to fly from anywhere other than Glasgow 

Paid £2200 for two of us to go to Benidorm - includes swanky apartment in great location, supermarket next door. two toilets and two bedrooms 

Flights from Glasgow with Easyjet and insurance paid for 

Would have been double that to get to Boston and then also fork out spending money 

Tdyer you can come if you want 

If Tdyer can't make it and you charge reasonable lodgings I might come. Can you cook ? 😁