I watched the Scotland game in an Irish bar in Boston - here's what happened

The proverb, often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, was not on my mind simply because I was walking around Boston, the birthplace of the American founding father.

Rather, the words rang true because I only realised, after touching down some 48 hours before Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti, that the dedicated fan zone for the match was already turning people away after reaching capacity. And I did not have a plan B.

It did not take long, however, to discover that the sheer number of Scotland supporters in the city meant there were plenty of alternatives. Even those quickly filled up, with some venues introducing last-minute ticketing systems to manage demand.

One city-centre pub, The Dubliner, had hundreds of people queueing outside whenever I walked past. The line stretched along one of Boston’s enormous sidewalks. Fortunately, the manager spotted my microphone, waved me past the queue and invited me inside to document the fan action.

So, in the end, “winging it” worked out.

Recently named one of America’s best pubs for watching soccer, The Dubliner lived up to its reputation. Screens covered almost every wall of the sprawling, multi-room venue, including a giant projector screen. Locals at the bar described it as “the best pub in town to watch the World Cup”.

Located directly opposite the 5,000-capacity fan zone at City Hall Plaza, it formed part of an electric, festival-like atmosphere that swept through downtown Boston. After Scotland’s historic victory, supporters from both venues spilled into the streets, merging into one jubilant crowd.

The moment the final whistle blew, ending Scotland’s 36-year wait for a World Cup victory, fans packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the sticky, sweat-soaked pub erupted as one.

“Unbelievable,” said Scotland fan Derek Lobban.

The Aberdeen local is spending the next few weeks in the US with his wife, Kathy, to support Scotland in their first three games.

“What a start to the World Cup, top of the league, c’mon Scotland.”

Fans Cailean O’Reilly, Joshua Marchbank and Blair Pringle celebrating in The Dubliner couldn’t stop the commentary coming when asked about their thoughts on the game.

“It was an unbelievable game, totally fantastic, the boys played so well,” Mr Marchbank said.

For some fans, the second half of the game, with Haiti dominating the possession and tempo, was almost too much to bear.

The volume in the pub would noticeably drop every time the ball was played towards Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn, eyes across the bar fixed on whichever screen was closest. At one point, a block of ice being passed between supporters to cool the backs of their necks in the humid heat slipped into a punter’s drink, unnoticed as he remained transfixed by the action on the screen.

For many spectators in the fan zone, there were no pints to help calm the nerves.

“They ran out of beer in the first half,” said Scotland fan Jen Gaskin, from Ayrshire.

“We needed a bit more beer to see us through that second half. It was really tough.”

The euphoria in Boston on Saturday night echoed the literally earth moving celebrations when Kenny McLean scored his jaw-dropping goal in Scotland’s World Cup qualifying match last year, setting off seismic activity monitors at Glasgow Geothermal Observatory.

Much like an earthquake radiating energy outwards, the celebrations following Scotland’s first victory of the 2026 World Cup rippled across Boston city centre.

Among those caught up in the festivities was Ali, a Moroccan supporter who bounded over while I was interviewing members of the Tartan Army.

After cheekily predicting that Morocco “will win” when the sides meet next week, he added: “Scotland has a good team. Good luck.

“Morocco and Scotland will pass this group and Brazil and Haiti will go home. You have a good team and I like it.”

As supporters of competing nations joined Scots in singing and celebrating into the early hours, one nationality had been noticeably absent from the build up festivities at the city centre venues showing the match: Haitians.

Despite Greater Boston being home to one of the largest and most vibrant Haitian communities in the US, City Hall Plaza was dominated by Scots and Scottish music. A large parade of Haiti fans were joined by members of the Tartan Army in a moment of unified celebration earlier in the day, but I couldn’t help but notice their absence at the bars popular for viewing the game. It should perhaps come as no surprise given Haiti is one of the countries on Donald Trump's travel ban list, which was announced last year as part of the government's crackdown on immigration. The restriction meant many Haitians from outside the US hoping to travel to support their team have been banned from entering the country.

The injustice has been felt by many members of the Tartan Army who I have met Stateside.

My favourite moment of the evening was seeing the rainbow of football shirts and flags merge as fans from some of the record 48 countries, at least those who have been able to make it to Boston, celebrated Scotland’s win together.

Among the crowds, I ended up speaking to an off-duty police officer. He said he was surprised that nor he or his colleagues had received a callout to trouble caused by fans so far.

“That’s very unusual for us,” he said, before adding that it was testament to the good-nature of the Tartan Army.

The sentiment was shared back home in Scotland where assistant chief constable Stuart Houston said he recognised the good conduct of fans who were in “good spirits” during pubs’ extended opening hours for the World Cup.