Scotland’s Steve Clarke advises fans to budget for World Cup tickets
Steve Clarke has urged the Tartan Army not to push the boat out financially to see Scotland at the World Cup next summer, reports BritPanorama.
The national team manager highlighted the excitement surrounding the tournament after Scotland qualified for the finals for the first time in 28 years, following a memorable 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park in November. Scotland is scheduled to play Haiti and Morocco in Boston, as well as Brazil in Miami, but ticket prices have sparked outrage, with costs ranging from £134 to £524.
Fans not receiving tickets through the Scotland Supporters Club face the challenges of FIFA’s dynamic pricing model and increased resale costs, which the Association of Tartan Army Clubs (ATAC) has labelled as “disgraceful and disgusting.”
Clarke remarked on the ticketing situation, stating, “Tickets are going to be tight. The Scottish FA have taken the full allocation of eight per cent of capacity. I’m sure it’ll be used. My biggest wish is that the fans who travel everywhere, who go to all the far-flung places, can afford to get the tickets and get the chance to get the tickets so they can be there because those supporters deserve to be there. Some of the figures are eye-watering, if you look at them.”
Moreover, Clarke expressed concern over the financial strain on fans, saying, “One of my biggest wishes is that people don’t put themselves too much into debt trying to buy tickets. Even the cheapest ones look to be pretty pricey. It’s a World Cup; FIFA will tell you they’ve had five million applications for two million tickets, which shows you the will is there, people want to be there.”
As the excitement builds, he reflected on the high costs associated with attending the tournament, noting that visitors to the USA will encounter generally high prices. “If you go on holiday to America, it’s expensive. It’s going to be expensive; just make sure people don’t put themselves into too much debt,” he cautioned.
In addition to ticketing issues, Clarke did not dismiss the possibility of including Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes in the squad. Barnes, who has represented England once, remains eligible for Scotland through his maternal grandparents. Clarke stated, “Well, if he’s kept the door open, then the door’s open, so let’s see what happens.”
With Scotland confirming their base in January and considering friendly matches ahead of the tournament, the air is thick with anticipation. The roar of the Tartan Army resounds not just from the pitches, but also along the often fraught paths of ticketing, underscoring the lengths fans will go for their colours. With the stage set and expectations high, the upcoming months will test the limits of loyalty, financial savvy, and national pride.
