Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sportSee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy DAN BARKER, REPORTER Published: 20:46 BST, 18 June 2026 | Updated: 20:58 BST, 18 June 2026
The Tartan Army will be on tenterhooks as they face the agonising wait to see if Steve Clarke’s side can all but guarantee making history.A draw against Morocco makes it almost certain Scotland will move to the knock-out rounds for the first time, statisticians have worked out.They have predicted that any side reaching four points will be 99.98 per cent sure to progress to the next round.The figures, worked out by the BBC, show that were Scotland to have four points after two games, it is likely results in other groups would assure them of a worst-case scenario of being one of the eight best third-placed teams from the 12 sections in the coming days.That would mean Scotland would progress from the group stage into the knockout phase for the first time. A draw against Morocco will mean Scotland are 99.98 per cent sure to progress Locals in Boston have been left delighted with the tens of thousands of Scots they are hostingA win for Scotland against the African giants would guarantee them qualification, with the game against Brazil in Miami still to come.Three points could even see them win the group after two matches, if Haiti pull off a shock by holding Brazil.If Scotland can replicate their victory they had in the opening game against Haiti at Boston Stadium, the Massachusetts city looks set to be the host of another huge party.It comes as the Tartan Army’s U.S. invasion looks set to net Scotland a tourism boost worth hundreds of millions, according to travel experts.Locals in Boston have been left delighted with the tens of thousands of Scots they are hosting, with the positive buzz generated by the travelling Tartan Army looking set to have a huge impact back home.Chris Greenwood, of the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism at Glasgow Caledonian University, said: ‘All signs suggest that the Tartan Army’s Boston stopover will translate into lasting tourism and cultural benefits for Scotland.‘The positive image and personal connections being forged over there are marketing Scotland as a fun, lively and welcoming place to visit.‘During Euro 2024, web traffic from Germany to VisitScotland.com surged by up to 83 per cent, and subsequent bookings to Edinburgh and the Highlands soared by more than 150 per cent. I expect the Tartan Army’s impact this time will far outstrip that.’Since the Tartan Army landed, they have taken Boston by storm – and have made an impression on the locals who have welcomed them with open arms.Statues have been crowned with traffic cones, the streets have come alive with the sound of bagpipes and the city’s iconic baseball stadium Fenway Park was packed full of thousands of kilt-wearing Scots.Massachusetts governor Maura Healey told how Scotland fans had brought ‘incredible energy, joy and enthusiasm’ to the state and ‘we couldn’t be happier about it’.Back in Scotland, the Morocco match looks set to provide a vital cash boost for the country’s pubs.Around 520,000 extra pints are expected to be sold during tonight’s match, worth around £2.6million to the trade.Paul Togneri, of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said indications are ‘at least 380,000 extra pints were sold for the Haiti game despite the 2am kick-off’.With Friday night’s match starting at 11pm, he said ‘we expect an even bigger boost, with over half a million extra pints to be poured’.
