<p>Scotland supporters are more famous for making an impression on major tournaments than their team on the pitch.</p><p>The nation has never made it out of the group stage at World Cups and European Championships in 12 previous attempts.</p><p>Yet around 200,000 Scots earned rave reviews for the atmosphere they brought to Euro 2024 in Germany despite failing to see their side win a match.</p><p>Tens of thousands are expected to defy exorbitant prices to make the trek to Boston and Miami in the coming weeks.</p><p><strong>"If you would have told me 28 years ago that we wouldn't see another World Cup until now I would've burst into tears, to be honest,"</strong> Niall Fitzgerald, 50, told AFP outside Hampden Park, which hosted Scotland's friendly win against Curacao last weekend.</p><p><strong>"But now that I'm going I can barely believe it.</strong></p><p><strong>"Every day I think about nothing else. I'm beyond excited," </strong>added the Scotsman, dressed in a kilt and Stetson cowboy hat.</p><p>Scotland's presence on the world stage for the first time since the 1998 tournament in France was sealed with a memorable 4-2 win over Denmark.</p><p>Underlining the significance of Scotland's World Cup return, Scott McTominay's overhead kick in that dramatic victory has been commemorated in a giant mural outside Hampden, and on a limited-edition £20 banknote.</p><p>Haunted by the ghosts of previous World Cup flops, Scotland's tournament opener against Caribbean minnows Haiti offers hope that the travelling hordes will be able to celebrate a winning start to the campaign.</p><p>But much tougher tests lie in wait, against 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and five-time winners Brazil.</p><p><strong>"I think they'll probably bring a lot of drinking and partying. I think they'll be some of the best fans there,"</strong> supporter Ivor Much said of Scotland's flair for creating a carnival atmosphere.</p><p><strong>"I think it's a perfect match to have Brazil and Scotland together."</strong></p>

'Stolen from the poor'

<p>The joy of qualification, though, has been tempered by the exorbitant prices of tickets, travel and accommodation.</p><p>Scotland boss Steve Clarke urged supporters not to rack up huge debts in their desire to follow Scotland in North America.</p><p>Category-one tickets for their clash with Brazil were priced at $700, with fees well into the thousands quoted on the secondary market.</p><p><strong>"The Polish fans held up a banner at one of the stadiums last year saying 'Stolen from the poor, given to the rich' and I think that sums it up,"</strong> said fan Steven Webster, who has not missed a Scotland home game since the coronavirus lockdown.</p><p>The 49-year-old is instead among many planning on making the trip to the south of Spain to watch games in bars and take in a party atmosphere, even if it is several thousand miles from the heart of the action.</p><p><strong>"The cost of going to America for the games, we could have bought a brand new car for the same sort of money,"</strong> said Webster.</p><p><strong>"Instead, we're going to Spain. I am getting a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) right now."</strong></p><p>Yet for those fortunate to follow their heroes across the Atlantic in the coming weeks, the party is just getting started.</p><p>"Everybody has got their hand out in this World Cup and it's been a bit of a shame. But that said, nothing would deter us from being there, whatever the cost," said Fitzgerald.</p><p>"Everybody loves the Tartan Army. Even if they've never met the Tartan Army, they never want them to leave, and they want them to come back again and again.</p><p>"That's what we are taking to the World Cup - the party!"</p>