Scotland vs England: Fan Loyalty in the World Cup

England stands two victories away from ending six decades of World Cup disappointment, with a gruelling semi‑final against Argentina looming. Meanwhile, Scotland’s men return to the global stage for the first time since 1998, already Eliminated at the group stage. The contrast between the two nations sets up a fresh round of debate over where Scottish supporters should place their loyalties.

Rivalry Rooted in History

Scotland’s football feud with England stretches back to 1872, making it the oldest international rivalry in the sport. Early matches favoured the Scots, who popularised the passing game, while England lifted the World Cup trophy in 1966—Scotland has never progressed beyond the tournament’s opening round. The historical rivalry underpins today’s fan choices, with polls showing a split sentiment.

A YouGov survey before the tournament revealed that 31 percent of Scots hoped England would perform poorly, compared with just 3 percent of English fans wishing the same for Scotland. Roughly one‑in‑ten supporters on both sides said they would back their neighbour, a figure that mirrors the 506 207 people living in Scotland who were born in England according to the 2022 census. Family ties and shared heritage keep those cross‑border bonds alive.

Personal Dilemmas on the Bleachers

Hamish Husband, organiser of the Tartan Army and partly raised in England, avoids watching England’s matches. “I feel too guilty about wanting them to lose,” he tells BBC Scotland News, adding, “How could we live with it?” He frames England as a “big brother” and likens Scots’ unease to Dutch disdain for German commentary: “The Dutch don’t watch German national games with German commentators, but we watch England games with English commentators talking about ‘our nation’, ‘our country’.” That media narrative, he says, “does rile us.”

Robbie McSkimming, a 30‑year‑old from Dunfermline who regularly backs Scotland against England at Hampden, tells a different story. Due to cross‑border family links and early Scottish disappointments, he finds himself cheering for England in later tournament stages. “Having the choice to watch an England team that had all the players I was watching on Match of the Day was quite enticing,” he explains. Yet he still describes the “anyone but England” mindset as “a bit of fun in football.”

Costume, Commerce, and Cultural Signals

During the tournament, Scottish streets and fan zones have been dotted with sombreros, Viking helmets, and Argentina jerseys—a nod to England’s historic rivalry with the South Americans. Glasgow sports shops report a surplus of Argentina strips and a notable absence of England shirts, reflecting the prevailing sentiment among many fans.

Historical moments also echo through present actions. A 1998 Ayrshire factory capitalised on England’s knockout clash with Argentina by manufacturing blue‑and‑white jerseys, a tradition that resurfaces each summer. The commercial response underscores how the rivalry fuels both humor and opportunism.

Political Voices and Public Reaction

Political figures have weighed in, sometimes unintentionally amplifying the debate. Former SNP economy spokesman Andrew Wilson once urged the Tartan Army to back England as “a symbol for the strength of Scottish self‑confidence.” A decade later, Andy Murray’s quip about supporting “anyone but England” sparked backlash and a subsequent clarification. More recently, King Charles noted it might be “too much to hope” that Scots would cheer England after Scotland’s exit, a comment that sparked both amusement and criticism.

SNP MP Lara Bird, half English, caused a stir by revealing that Scots had become “really passionate” Mexico and Norway supporters ahead of their games against England, indicating she might cheer Norway. The remark was labelled “pathetic” by several social media users, while MP Karl Turner posted, “If Scotland were playing anybody else in the world apart from England I’d be supporting them.” The exchange highlights the depth of feeling surrounding the “Auld Enemy.”

Global Parallels and Fan Pride

New Zealand’s experience with Australia offers a parallel. Jared McMillan, a Kiwi now based in New York, notes that New Zealanders “hate on their big brother a little bit and don’t want them to do well.” He describes watching Australia’s games as “insufferable” and draws a comparison to “how Scots feel about England.” Such cross‑cultural empathy shows how rivalries often echo beyond the football pitch.

Despite the frustrations, Hamish Husband retains a sense of humor. After a week in the United States where he says Scots became “more popular than Taylor Swift,” he reflects: “I wish our football team was better. England could have the best football team – possibly world champions – but we’ve got the best fans in the world.” The sentiment, while consoling, captures a deep‑seated pride that persists even when the team falls short.

For now, the tournament’s outcome will add another chapter to an enduring rivalry. Whether Scotland’s fans ultimately cheer England’s success or continue the tradition of rooting against the “Auld Enemy” remains a living question, echoing through pubs, social media feeds, and family dinner tables across the UK.