The inventor of the telephone, born in Edinburgh, established his revolutionary telephone exchange in Boston in 1878, connecting it globally from Massachusetts. He conducted most of his experimental work on the telephone there, where he lived and had a laboratory at 109 Court Street. The first intelligible speech transmission happened in March, 1876, in Boston.placeholder image
The inventor of the telephone, born in Edinburgh, established his revolutionary telephone exchange in Boston in 1878, connecting it globally from Massachusetts. He conducted most of his experimental work on the telephone there, where he lived and had a laboratory at 109 Court Street. The first intelligible speech transmission happened in March, 1876, in Boston. | Getty Images

World Cup 2026 Host Cities: 10 Scottish links to Boston and Massachusetts - where Scotland play this summer

By Graham Falk

Sports Writer

Published 8th Dec 2025, 12:40 GMT
Updated 12th Jun 2026, 13:06 GMT

Scotland will play their first two World Cup 2026 fixtures at the Boston Stadium in the USA - and the city has plenty of Scottish links.

Scotland’s World Cup Group C fixture list sees their opening two games this summer’s tournament played in the co-host country of the United States, with clashes against Haiti and Morocco taking place at the Boston Stadium.

Founded in 1630, Boston is the capital and largest city of Massachusetts, with a current population of about 675,000. One of the oldest cities in America, it is home to several prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT, and is viewed as a global leader in education, medicine, and technology.

Known for its ties to Ireland and Irish history, it also has several links to Scotland, which is why so many have chosen it as the perfect base for the Tartan Army this summer.

Here are 10 Scottish links to Boston, Massachusetts, as Steve Clarke's squad will look to re-write their World Cup narrative over the next few weeks:

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Boston has a community specially made for Scottish music enthusiasts. Open to all instruments and ages, they emphasise favourites from Scotland, and aim 'to educate the public about Scottish fiddle music, embracing musicians of all levels on any instrument, as well as listeners.'

5. Boston Scottish Fiddle Club

Boston has a community specially made for Scottish music enthusiasts. Open to all instruments and ages, they emphasise favourites from Scotland, and aim 'to educate the public about Scottish fiddle music, embracing musicians of all levels on any instrument, as well as listeners.' | Getty Images/Canva Pro

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'Scots in New England' run a community of Scottish organizations and interest groups, collaborating to promote all things Scottish, and their website includes a list of food vendors where you can find Scottish delicacies such as Irn-Bru and Haggis in the city.

6. Scots In New England

'Scots in New England' run a community of Scottish organizations and interest groups, collaborating to promote all things Scottish, and their website includes a list of food vendors where you can find Scottish delicacies such as Irn-Bru and Haggis in the city. | Getty Images/Canva Pro

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One of the world's most prominent historians, Glasgow-born Ferguson has held several positions at the famous Harvard University, including Senior Faculty Fellow of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

7. Sir Niall Ferguson

One of the world's most prominent historians, Glasgow-born Ferguson has held several positions at the famous Harvard University, including Senior Faculty Fellow of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. | CC0 1.0 Universal

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Oscar nominated actor Damon has Scottish ancestry through his father's side, specifically from his paternal grandmother, who was of half Scottish and half English descent. The Boston-born star is a quarter Scottish, though he also has Finnish and Swedish roots from his mother's side. During one particular interview, he discussed his Scottish ties, and claimed he felt "mostly Scottish."

8. Matt Damon's Scottish ancestory

Oscar nominated actor Damon has Scottish ancestry through his father's side, specifically from his paternal grandmother, who was of half Scottish and half English descent. The Boston-born star is a quarter Scottish, though he also has Finnish and Swedish roots from his mother's side. During one particular interview, he discussed his Scottish ties, and claimed he felt "mostly Scottish." | Getty Images

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