Scotland superfan flies 4,000 miles to Miami to watch World Cup match on a TV screen

Neil McKnight is flying 4,000 miles from London to Miami, spending more than £1,000, and staying just 70 hours — all to watch Scotland take on Brazil at the 2026 World Cup on a giant television screen.

The 62-year-old from Ayr, now living in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, has no match ticket and knows he has no chance of getting one. His sole aim is to be among the Tartan Army faithful in Miami, soaking up the atmosphere at a fan venue rather than inside the stadium.

“I just want to be part of the Tartan Army at the World Cup,” McKnight said. “And what better way to do it than to watch the lads take on Brazil on a giant TV in Miami. It’s going to be great.”

The retired programme manager has been a Scotland supporter since watching them in 1982, and an Ayr United fan since his first game against Morton back in 1969. Yet despite decades of devotion, this is the first time he has ever travelled overseas to follow his country — a dream he has nursed since Scotland’s appearance at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.

“I’ve had a dream of watching Scotland in the World Cup ever since the Argentina tournament back in 1978,” he said. “But tickets are so expensive and difficult to get, so I decided to take the plunge and just head over. It will cost me over £1,000 but it will be worth every penny.”

The timing of the trip was partly shaped by family commitments. His daughter Kayleigh’s wedding on 20 June ruled out Scotland’s other group games against Haiti and Morocco, leaving the Brazil fixture as his one window. Scotland had already beaten Haiti in their opening match, raising hopes of a run into the knockout stages for the first time since France 1998.

To keep costs manageable, McKnight is flying home via Charlotte rather than direct, and is staying in an Airbnb in Miami’s Little Havana neighbourhood. His wife Alison is fully supportive of the adventure.

His close friend Andy Clayden, an England and QPR supporter, offered a more sceptical verdict: “It’s a long way to go and a lot of money to celebrate a couple of possible corners.”

Scotland face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in their group at their first World Cup finals appearance since 1998. A large contingent of Tartan Army supporters have already gathered in Boston, with chants of “No Scotland — no party” ringing around the city.