Philipp Lahm, the tournament director of Euro 2024, has praised Scotland's Tartan Army for exemplifying the unifying power of football, using their presence at the 2026 World Cup to argue in favor of the expanded 48-team format. Writing in a column for the Guardian, Lahm highlighted how Scottish fans, wearing kilts and playing bagpipes, turned a Boston Red Sox baseball game into a World Cup celebration after Scotland's first World Cup win in 36 years against Haiti.
Scottish fans win hearts in the US
Lahm described watching videos of Scottish fans marching through Boston, singing, and wearing knee-length red socks. One local fan was moved to tears, thanking the Scots for “the best time” of his life. Lahm noted that the Norwegians and Dutch leave similar impressions, embodying the “United by football” spirit. He recalled his own experiences with Scottish fans during Euro 2024, where they quickly won over Germans, forging lasting friendships. He shared a personal anecdote: his daughter keeps a pin gifted by a Scottish fan as a memento.
Expanded tournament brings more nations
Lahm argued that Scotland's qualification, their first since 1998 under the old 32-team format, is a strong case for expanding to 48 teams. He acknowledged criticism, including from Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, who cited diminished quality, and 13 non-European nations, including 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, who wrote an open letter of protest. Lahm countered that Fifa's mission is to develop football globally through participation, and differences in quality must be accepted. He noted that in the first eight World Cups, only one African country (Egypt in 1934) participated, and in 1966, African nations boycotted due to lack of direct qualification.
Underdogs shine in new format
Lahm highlighted heroic stories from the expanded tournament: DR Congo secured a draw against Portugal, newcomers Cape Verde drew with Spain and Uruguay, and Uzbekistan, with coach Fabio Cannavaro, celebrated an equalizer against Colombia. He noted that stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland now share the spotlight with underdogs. The new format, with a round of 32, makes the group stage resemble a cup competition, which some traditionalists find objectionable but Lahm sees as beneficial.
Criticism of Fifa and Infantino
Lahm criticized ticket prices, accusing Fifa of not providing honest demand figures to maximize revenue. He also opposed proposals to hold the World Cup every two years, arguing that tournaments need preparation and follow-up for lasting impact. He expressed concern over the bloated Club World Cup, which compresses the calendar and strains players with extreme temperatures and additional matches. Most concerning, Lahm said, is Fifa president Gianni Infantino's close ties to figures like Donald Trump, which he argued sells out the World Cup and robs football of credibility, making fans uneasy.
Need for strong Europe and affordable football
Lahm called for a strong Europe and Uefa to counter dubious agendas. He praised Ceferin's announcement of low ticket prices for Euro 2028 and efforts to keep accommodation and travel affordable, insisting football must not be reserved for an elite. He recalled the motto of the 2006 World Cup, “Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden” (“The world as guests of friends”), and hoped future tournaments would embody that spirit, as he experienced in South Africa and Brazil as a player.
