Scotland's Historic World Cup Journey: What to Expect
Are you still mesmerized by Kenny McLean's stunning goal from the halfway line? You're not alone.
Have you experienced it with Alasdair Lamont's radio commentary alongside Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On"? If not, it's highly recommended.
Once you've replayed the highlights and dried your tears, it's time to reflect on the significance of this qualification.
For younger fans, this is uncharted territory: Scotland’s men are heading to the World Cup for the first time in many of our lifetimes.
We are encouraged to savor this moment, and judging by the scenes from Tuesday, that won’t be a challenge.
But what should we actually look forward to?
BBC Sport Scotland explores the key questions as we turn our attention to North America.
Where Are We Going? And How Do We Get There?
Thought last summer was the trip of a lifetime? Prepare yourself.
This isn’t a short journey to Germany—where a flight takes mere hours or you can drive there. This is a true expedition.
Fans aren’t flocking to travel agents like they did two years ago; that would simply be impractical. The group stages are divided into three regions: west, central, and east, covering a vast continent.
There are over 1,200 miles between Los Angeles and Vancouver in the west, 1,700 miles between Kansas City and Mexico City in the central region, and 1,500 miles between Miami and Boston in the east.
We will discover which region the games will be held in after the draw on December 5.
A Scottish travel agency has already launched World Cup packages, ranging from three nights in New York for £2,659 per person to 11 nights in California for £3,999.
Flights from Edinburgh to Philadelphia are available the day before the tournament starts, returning the day after the group games conclude, for just over £700.
Anyone up for a ride on their motorbike or willing to offer a lift?
What’s the Song?
Now we delve into the serious stuff.
It’s going to be quite the journey, regardless of how we travel, so we need a soundtrack—something we’ll be tired of hearing before we even leave.
In 1998, Del Amitri’s "Don’t Come Home Too Soon" was the anthem, albeit one that didn’t bring success.
Choosing the song that embodies a World Cup squad is akin to performing a James Bond theme—perhaps even a greater honor. Who wouldn’t want to hear Paulo Nutini and Lewis Capaldi harmonizing? Susan Boyle and Sharleen Spiteri are likely eagerly waiting for their call.
Imagine Belle and Sebastian, Biffy Clyro, and Mogwai, with Calvin Harris spinning tracks.
It’s a lineup worthy of the occasion, and The Proclaimers are checking credentials.
What’s the Score with Tickets?
Now, let’s address the serious matter of ticket availability.
The bad news is that prices are steep, and FIFA's initial ticket draw has already taken place, closing before Steve Clarke's team headed to Turkey for their training camp last week.
More tickets will be available to the public after the December 5 draw, and thousands will be allocated to each participating association for Travel Club members, although there are no guarantees even for those already signed up.
What About Visas/ESTAs?
At this stage, who cares about tickets? Let’s just get across the water!
To enter the USA, you will need an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which can be obtained online and is valid for 90 days.
This is useful since you’ll want to celebrate after Andy Robertson lifts the grand trophy.
If you don’t hold a UK passport, you may need to apply for a visa, which requires a trip to the US Embassy in London. Appointments can be arranged online to avoid long queues.
There are no visa requirements for Mexico, while an eTA is necessary for flights into Canada.
The Dream/Nightmare Group?
It’s up to you to decide what you think about this.
The three host nations automatically enter pot one, which is fortunate for us, as they are considered the weakest teams compared to the others.
Scotland would ideally face one of the USA, Canada, or Mexico. Let’s hope our results are better than the last time we faced a host nation at a major tournament... Ah, Munich.
In pot two, there are some formidable opponents. Scotland can only play one other European nation in the groups, so we might encounter teams like Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, or Australia.
It may be wise to avoid the European trio in that pot: Croatia, Switzerland, and Austria.
A significant portion of pot four is still to be determined. Imagine having to go through the playoffs? That wouldn’t be us...
What Happens in March?
The playoffs will take place in March. Speaking of which, we can mark that off our calendars.
However, Steve Clarke will still gather his squad for a couple of friendlies.
The opponents are yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely that the coach and the Scottish FA will seek strong competition for a proper test. The availability of nations will also play a role in these discussions.
What’s certain is that the Tartan Army will be there to support their heroes before they head to North America.
It will also be another chance to don the new Scotland kit, which many have already deemed worthy of a World Cup appearance.
The excitement in March will be palpable, as we will be in touching distance of the tournament.
Just wait until the sticker album is released a few weeks later... No one will be swapping their shiny Scott McTominay card, right?