Scottish football supporters eager to witness their national team's long-awaited return to the World Cup stage are facing a significant financial hurdle. Official travel packages guaranteeing tickets for all three group games are being marketed, with prices commencing at well over £8,000 per person.
Premium Packages for Historic Tournament
The "Follow My Team" deals are being sold by Qatar Airways Holidays, the tournament's official travel provider. This comes after Scotland secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, marking their first appearance in the global finals since 1998. The team is scheduled to play group matches against Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil in the American cities of Boston and Miami.
The packages include high-end accommodation and guaranteed match tickets but notably exclude international flights to and from the United States. A silver-tier package, featuring Category 1 or 2 tickets, a 13-night stay in four-star hotels, internal US flights, and transfers, starts at $11,000 (£8,271) per person based on two sharing. Solo travellers face a much steeper cost of $17,600 (£13,114).
For those seeking a more luxurious experience, gold packages with five-star hotels begin at $13,950 (£10,394) for dual occupancy, escalating to $22,700 (£16,900) for single occupancy.
Manager's Debt Warning Amid Ticket Price Outcry
The revelation of these costly packages follows a stark warning from Scotland manager Steve Clarke. He publicly urged fans not to overextend themselves financially in their pursuit of following the team to North America. "One of my biggest wishes is that people don't put themselves too much into debt trying to buy tickets," Clarke stated. "Even the cheapest ones look to be pretty pricey."
His concerns echo a wider backlash against FIFA's pricing strategy for the 2026 tournament. Initial ticket prices released last week were met with fierce criticism from supporter groups, who labelled them "laughably insulting." For instance, the cheapest general admission seats for Scotland's marquee group game against Brazil on 24 June were set at $265 (£197), with prices rising to $700 (£521).
In response to the outcry, FIFA announced a new, more affordable ticket band priced at just $60 (£45) for all matches. However, the availability of these budget tickets is described as severely limited.
High-Stakes Finale Packages Also Available
Beyond the team-specific options, Qatar Airways Holidays is also offering premium experiences for the tournament's climax. Packages that combine tickets for one semi-final and the final, alongside internal flights and hotel stays, are on sale. These start at $20,150 (£15,023) per person for two sharing and can rise to $34,800 (£25,950).
The exorbitant costs present a difficult dilemma for the Tartan Army, who have waited nearly three decades to see Scotland compete on football's grandest stage. The balancing act between celebrating this historic achievement and managing personal finances is now at the forefront of planning for the 2026 World Cup.
