A GERMAN football club has been hailed by the Tartan Army for its “lovely” message to the Scotland team ahead of their opening World Cup match on Saturday.
Thousands of fans have travelled to the United States ahead of Scotland’s men’s team's first World Cup match in 28 years as they take on Haiti on Saturday evening.
Steve Clarke's men will be looking for a better opening tournament game than when they faced the Euros’ host Germany in 2024, where they went on to lose 5-1 and ultimately bowed out of the competition with just one point.
However, off the pitch, Scotland was winning over the hearts of the host nation, with German fans naming the Tartan Army as one of their favourite memories of the tournament, along with being officially voted the best group of supporters.
During the Euros, the Tartan Army was also praised by a local newspaper and supporters of FC Koln for celebrating their team's legendary striker, Lukas Podolski.
That friendship seems to have lasted two years later as FC Koln shared a video of the Tartan Army in the German city during the Euros on Thursday with a message of support for Scotland ahead of the World Cup.
The club wrote: “28 years of waiting for our Scottish friends come to an end on Sunday morning, as the World Cup gets underway tonight!
“After the wonderful moments we all enjoyed in the city two years ago, here's hoping for more magic and an Archie Gemmill moment for this generation.”
28 years of waiting for our Scottish friends come to an end on Sunday morning, as the World Cup gets underway tonight! After the wonderful moments we all enjoyed in the city two years ago, here's hoping for more magic and an Archie Gemmill moment for this generation! 🏴 #effzeh pic.twitter.com/mFiTKfJE4T
— 1. FC Cologne (@fckoeln_en) June 11, 2026
The message has been well received amongst Scots, with thousands of fans liking and sharing the message on social media.
One Scotland fan wrote: “I’m sure Cologne holds a special place in the hearts of every Scotland fan. Thanks for your support.”
Another said: “What a day this was! Beautiful city, lovely hosts all along the route and just the best atmosphere ever.”
A third commented: “Love the Scotland and Köln friendship. It’s fantastic!!”
Meanwhile, a fourth added: “Greetings from Glasgow, thanks for the lovely message for our National team.”
It’s not the first time FC Koln have shared a message of support for Scotland, as the team wrote on social media on Hogmanay in 2024: “One of our favourite memories of 2024.
“Was a pleasure having you, Tartan Army!”
The club also shared a picture of a sea of saltire flags and Scotland fans at the tournament.
The Tartan Army will be out in force in Boston for the first finals featuring the Scottish national team in 28 years on Saturday.
Clarke’s side head into the crucial Group C opening fixture off the back of a convincing 4-0 win over Bolivia in their final warm-up match last week.
