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FOXBOROUGH — Scotland fans who hadn’t seen their team win a World Cup match since 1990 created a bucket-list-type atmosphere at Gillette Stadium for their tournament opener.
The Scots rewarded those vociferous supporters with their first victory in 36 years, knocking off Haiti, 1-0, thanks to John McGinn’s lone goal in the 27th minute.
“We’ve been through a lot of hurt as a country,” McGinn said. “A generation of supporters haven’t seen this. But the pride on my face this morning seeing all the kids going to the parks in a Scotland kit and painting their faces. Hopefully when kids get up tomorrow they’ll be beaming with pride because I am.”
So what was it like as the World Cup returned to Foxborough?
Here are some takeaways on everything from the environment to the concession stands:
Haiti's Hannes Delcroix as pictured coming downfield during a match at Gillette Stadium against Scotland on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Haiti's Frantzdy Pierrot as pictured during a game against Scotland at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Haiti's Louicious Deedson as pictured in a World Cup match against Scotland on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
Haiti's Frantzdy Pierrot as pictured during a game against Scotland at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Haiti's Frantzdy Pierrot as pictured during a game against Scotland at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Haiti's Frantzdy Pierrot as pictured during a game against Scotland at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Haiti's Frantzdy Pierrot as pictured during a game against Scotland at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scotland's Ben Gannon-Doak defends an attack from Haiti's Ruben Providence during a World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Haiti's Ricardo Adé clears a ball away from Scotland's Andy Robertson during a World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Haiti's Wilson Isidor falls after an interaction with Scotland's Grant Hanley during a World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Haiti's Ruben Providence questions a call during a World Cup match against Scotland on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Haiti's Frantzdy Pierrot as pictured during a game against Scotland at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Haiti's Ruben Providence attempts to fake out Scotland's Aaron Hickey during a World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
Haiti's Ruben Providence crosses a ball during a World Cup match against Scotland on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Haiti's Frantzdy Pierrot as pictured during a game against Scotland at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Haiti's Jean-Ricner Bellegarde as pictured during a World Cup match against Scotland on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Scenes from the 2026 World Cup opener between Scotland and Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium.
Tartan Army takeover
Scottish supporters traveled well and dominated the atmosphere at Gillette. From a thunderous singalong of the national anthem, “Flower of Scotland,” to fans bringing their own bagpipes to the game, Boston might as well have been Edinburgh. There were pockets of Haitian fans in the stands too, but they were outnumbered by men in kilts on Saturday.
“When (the goal) went into the back of the net, you could feel the Scotland fans,” McGinn said.
Total gridlock
While the match was worth the price of admission, getting there was the headache that many forecasted.
The MassLive carpool got onto Route 1 a little after 5:30 p.m. three and a half hours before kickoff. It parked in the stadium lot at 6:57 p.m. It took over an hour to travel less than two miles in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Fans were in good spirits though, chanting with passers-by hanging out of sunroofs. A number of cars were draped in Scottish and Haitian flags.
Mixed bag at concession stands
During a pregame stroll through the concourse, it was moderately surprising to see reasonable food prices. Burgers were $10.50, while fans could purchase either an Italian sausage or loaded kielbasa for $11.50. It’ll be an expensive tournament for alcohol drinkers though, as a 16 oz domestic beer is going for $16, while imported beer is $18 and hard seltzers are $19.
The pace is insane
In soccer’s biggest tournament, it’s remarkable to see the speed the game is played at. With all due respect to the local teams that call Gillette home, the Scots and Haitians were playing the game in a different gear. Best-on-best international competition is in a league of its own, no matter the sport.
“We’re playing at an extremely high level,” Haiti coach Sébastien Migné said. “But you can get punished with one oversight.”
A full house
While Scotland and Haiti are neither marquee teams nor close to New England, the stadium was still sold out with an announced crowd of 64,146. On Saturday morning, the get-in price was over $900 on second-hand websites.
Genuine camaraderie
Though adversaries on the pitch, Scottish and Haitian fans seemed to really enjoy each other. There were a lot of photos, handshakes, and smiles. With Brazil and Morocco as the other teams in their group — both ranked in FIFA’s Top 10 — the long-shots found a common ground together.
Natural grass is noticeable
Patriots players have long clamored for natural grass to replace the turf in Foxborough, but it took FIFA to get it temporarily installed. While there is still turf on the sidelines, the grass playing surface in Foxborough looks pristine. Sprinklers came on at multiple times over the course of the evening.
“The temporary installation of natural grass fields for the World Cup is a choice by certain NFL team owners to do for soccer players what they refuse to do for NFL players,” the NFLPA said.“It’s no longer a question of capability: the technology exists, the expertise exists and the resources exist to install the high-level grass fields that our players overwhelmingly prefer.”
Pricey parking
Parking in private lots south of the stadium cost a pretty penny. Multiple lots were priced at $100, including one more than a mile from the stadium. The cheapest private lot MassLive saw was $80.
A fun, unique atmosphere
Normally when Gillette is packed to the gills, it’s for a Patriots home game.
This was a decidedly different atmosphere — but a really fun one. With massive stakes in the world’s most important soccer tournament, fans were both passionate and celebratory. Chanting occurred throughout the evening, singalongs were belted, and there was occasional bagpipe music soundtracking the play. It was a blast.
“What’s not to enjoy when you walk out onto the pitch before the game almost an hour and a half before the game and I see my family walking down the steps to sit in the stands. It is special,” Scotland manager Steve Clarke said. “And when we finish the game they are right behind the dugout. It is special.
“And then you go into the middle of the park with your team to celebrate a win. You see the Tartan Army all the way round the stadium having a great time.”
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