Sports Update 3 days ago ⏱️ 2 min read

Boston becomes 'mini-Scotland' hours before World cup opener

Boston becomes 'mini-Scotland' hours before World cup opener
Boston becomes 'mini-Scotland' before World Cup opener BBCTartan Army feels the heat in Boston as World Cup kicks off BBCScotland fans arrive in the US as World Cup anticipation builds BBCScottish fans drank every beer on their plane before landing in Boston ahead of World Cup opener Fox NewsShe waited decades for Scotland to make the World Cup. At 93, she'll cheer in person NPR

With just hours to go until Scotland's opening World Cup match, anticipation is building across the city that has become a temporary home for the Tartan Army.

Scotland will play Haiti in their first World Cup encounter in 28 years. The long-anticipated match will kick-off at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough at 21:00 local time, 02:00 in Scotland.

It is estimated that between 20,000 to 30,000 thousands fans have travelled to Boston for the match.

They are now being joined by a last-minute influx of fans staying further afield in areas such as New York and Rhode Island.

"It's a Scotland invasion, absolutely everyone is here. I don't know how there's anyone left at home," said David Martin, 28, from Glasgow.

He added: "I quit my job to be here, I couldn't miss it. I missed out on on the Euros so I wasn't going to let that happen again."

Even the local statues are now wearing traffic cones - just like the Duke of Wellington in Glasgow.

"It's like a little Scotland in one city, it's a festival atmosphere," said Adam Gray, 39, from Haddington.

He travelled to the US with his dad, Adam Snr, and son Callen. But along the way they bumped into a familiar face.

While in a queue to buy a beer, he was approached by school friend Niall Stone, who is originally from the same town but has been living in Australia for a number of years.

"It's mad when you've not seen someone in years, football really brings everyone together," Niall said.

They are now going to attend a baseball game together.

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