Scotland fans secure Fifa approval to wear sporrans at World Cup

The Tartan Army have been given the green light to wear sporrans with their kilts at World Cup matches this summer, the Scottish Football Association has confirmed.

Thousands of supporters are expected to travel to the US to cheer on Steve Clarke's side after the men's national team qualified for the first time since 1998.

The World Cup stadium code of conduct states ticket holders are only permitted to bring certain types of bags into stadiums.

Sporrans initially failed to meet the strict security criteria but, following talks between world football's governing body Fifa and the SFA, it has now been agreed fans will be able to wear them.

Scotland are set to face Haiti and Morocco in Boston and Brazil in Miami after qualifying for the finals with a thrilling 4-2 Hampden victory over Denmark in November.

The 2026 edition will feature 48 teams and be played from 11 June to 19 July in 16 cities across the US, Canada and Mexico.

Under current rules at the stadiums in Boston and Miami, the only large bags allowed into the grounds must be made from clear plastic and not exceed 12in x 12in x 6in (30cm x 30cm x 15cm).

Any small bags that are not see-through must measure no more than 4.5in x 6.5in (11cm x 16.5cm) – almost half the size of many sporrans.

Without the agreement Scotland fans would have had to leave their sporrans in lockers outside or discard them altogether.

"The Tartan Army are well-known and the sporran is part of our uniform," Tartan Army veteran Hamish Husband told BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live.

"Our sporrans will contain our match tickets and hope - that's all we want to smuggle into the stadiums.

"When we arrive anywhere in the world, the kilt and the sporran are a sign of friendship."

He said he never had any doubts that Scotland fans would be allowed to wear their sporrans in the stadiums for the matches.

A SFA spokesperson said: "FIFA have confirmed that sporrans will be permitted into the stadiums following the standard search and inspection procedures and will continue to work together with the Scottish FA to educate their matchday staff as they prepare to welcome fans to Boston and Miami.

"The ticketing and membership team at the Scottish FA are in continued dialogue with the tournament hosts to ensure that the Scotland fans will be welcomed to venues in the way they have been across the world."

The agreement comes after it was revealed that the Scotland squad will be kitted out in tailored suits for their World Cup return.

In 1998 the team, managed by the late Craig Brown, wore kilts ahead of the opening match of tournament against Brazil in Paris.

But last month the SFA confirmed a Glasgow-based tailor will make "sharp, made-to-measure suits" for the players and backroom staff.