Scotland fans secure Fifa approval to wear sporrans at World Cup

Scotland fans secure Fifa approval to wear sporrans at World Cup

Supporters of Scotland’s national football team will be able to wear traditional sporrans along with their kilts when attending matches at this summer’s World Cup, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) has announced. This decision follows negotiations with FIFA, as initial stadium security rules had prohibited sporrans due to their size and the restrictions on bags allowed into the venues.

The men’s national team secured their place in the World Cup for the first time since 1998, raising excitement among fans who are expected to travel to the United States to support Steve Clarke’s squad. Scotland will play their group matches against Haiti and Morocco in Boston, followed by a game versus Brazil in Miami. The tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will host 48 teams competing across multiple cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

According to the current security protocols in Boston and Miami, large bags are only permitted if they are clear plastic and do not exceed 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches. Smaller opaque bags must be no bigger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches, which is considerably smaller than most sporrans. Without the recent agreement, fans would have faced the difficult choice of leaving their sporrans in lockers outside the stadiums or discarding them altogether.

One supporter commented, “Our sporrans will contain our match tickets and hope – that’s all we want to smuggle into the stadiums,” adding, “When we arrive anywhere in the world, the kilt and the sporran are a sign of friendship.” A spokesperson for the SFA emphasized that FIFA confirmed sporrans will be allowed after normal inspection procedures and that they are working closely with tournament organizers to ensure that Scotland fans feel welcomed. This move underscores the cultural importance of the sporran as part of Scottish national identity during this highly anticipated return to the World Cup stage

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