Hansard

I thank everyone who has contributed to a lovely debate. It clearly means a lot to members in the chamber and people across the country. It is estimated that 900,000 people a week engage with football in Scotland, which is not bad for a nation of 5.5 million people. The Scottish premiership’s 18.5 attendees per 1,000 people at last season’s matches was the greatest attendance in Europe, by a country mile. In fact, it was 70 per cent higher than the next highest attendance in football. Football holds a special place in the nation’s hearts.

This evening, we have recognised the historic significance of the achievement of Steve Clarke and his squad. A whole generation has grown up without seeing Scotland’s men participating in the world cup finals, while wishing we were there. Of course, the women made it in 2019 and, as in all things, I commend the men for following our lead.

Since 1998, which was the last time that the men’s national team graced the world’s biggest stage, football has evolved. Nations have risen and fallen, but Scotland’s dream has endured. Our qualification ends a 28-year drought and marks a historic comeback for the tartan army. It is a reminder that perseverance pays off and that the spirit of Scottish football is as strong as ever.

I am sure that everyone was glued to their screens on Friday night, perhaps for a little longer than we anticipated, watching the draw. When we finally got to it, we were, once again, drawn to face Brazil and Morocco, with an opening match against Haiti in Boston. The match times are not ideal for those of us watching here in Scotland, but I am confident that we will manage.

The emotional and personal impact that football can have cannot be overstated. In fact, I have been thinking back to five-year-old me, who was pretty invested in Ally’s army and fully expected us to lift the cup in 1978. The way in which we qualified this year will live for ever in Scottish folklore. In the space of a few days, we went from losing in Greece and facing a potentially difficult play-off route, to that dramatic 4-2 win—over a really good Denmark team—sealed with two fantastic stoppage-time goals. Andy Robertson called it

“one of the greatest nights of my life”,

and dedicated the achievement to his late team-mate Diogo Jota. I am sure that many fans who watched that game also considered it to be one of the greatest nights of their lives. Across Scotland, pubs, homes and streets erupted in celebration.

This is more than football. It is a unifying force for the nation. It is about mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren all sharing a moment that binds us together.

Keith Brown reminded us that Scotland is home to the oldest football in the world and that our passion for the game in Scotland was taken to South America, where Brazil and Argentina also caught the bug. Scotland and England played the first officially recognised international football match. Scotland invented the modern game, and we wrote the rules down. Therefore, it is no wonder that our nation is so excited about our qualification. We love football and have done so for a very long time.

We know that the economic and social impacts of participating in the finals can be significant. Scotland’s qualification secures multimillion-pound payments from FIFA—funds that can transform grass-roots development and youth academies.

Crucially, qualification inspires the next generation. Young players now see a pathway to the biggest stage, fuelling participation and ambition.

We also need to harness the excitement and anticipation around the world cup to encourage people to get out and be active and play sports with their friends or meet new friends. We know that engaging in regular physical activity is one of the best things that we can do to maintain and improve our physical and mental health, and moments such as this can inspire people to do that.

I am very glad to hear of Neil Bibby’s commitment to doubling the sport budget, and I look forward to Labour demanding extra investment in sport during the budget negotiations and, crucially, voting for it this year. Thousands of Scottish fans will also be inspired.