Two Scotland fans, Cam and Euan Lister, received an unexpected surprise during the World Cup in Boston when their father, Kevin Lister, appeared at the pub where they were watching a match. The brothers, originally from Ipswich, had traveled to the United States to support their national team, which had qualified for the tournament for the first time in nearly three decades. Their father had initially purchased tickets for the match against Haiti but had also expressed strong reservations about attending.
Kevin Lister had initially canceled a flight to the U.S. due to his opposition to FIFA president Gianni Infantino's past endorsements of U.S. President Donald Trump. "I can't do it. I don't want to be there. Morally, I'm against it," Cam Lister recalled his father saying. However, with Scotland's first game approaching, Kevin changed his mind. "He'd had that same gut instinct he had to be there," Cam stated, expressing gratitude for his father's eventual attendance, calling the experience "amazing" and the memories "take to the grave."
Cam Lister, a gymnastics coach, and his brother Euan, a barman, had been planning to attend the tournament, with their father originally offering to buy them tickets for their first game. Kevin, who retired in March from his career as a marine police officer, had intended to use some of his pension for the tickets. However, Cam and Euan encouraged him to use the money to travel to the U.S. with them instead, emphasizing the significance of Scotland's rare tournament qualification.
The Lister family has maintained a strong connection to their Scottish heritage, visiting Scotland twice a year and hosting annual Burns Night celebrations in Ipswich. Kevin Lister, originally from Inverness, moved to Ipswich with his wife about 20 years ago. Cam noted his father's pride in his Scottish identity has grown, particularly when abroad.
Scotland's qualification for the World Cup in November marked their first appearance since 1998. Cam, born in 2001, had never seen the team compete in the tournament, with his father having attended the 1998 World Cup in France. The experience of qualification had become a significant event for the generation that had grown up without seeing Scotland participate.
Despite initial doubts from Kevin and some of their friends, a group of six, including Cam, Euan, and their father, ultimately decided to travel to the U.S. Cam and Euan had a difficult journey to Boston, experiencing bus route errors and significant delays. Upon arrival, they met up with friends at a pub, where Cam was surprised to see his father join them.
During their time in Boston, the Tartan Army, as Scotland's fans are known, were reportedly welcomed warmly by locals. The group attended the Scotland vs. Haiti match, which Scotland won 1-0. Following the game, many Scotland fans, including Cam, Euan, and Kevin, attended a Boston Red Sox baseball game, contributing to a lively atmosphere that some noted as being exceptional. Reports indicated no arrests were made among Scotland fans in Boston, with the Tartan Army priding itself on being good guests.