Meeting of the Parliament 10 December 2025
That is certainly still our ambition, Mr Bibby, but, as I said, it would be much appreciated if Labour would, this year, engage in the negotiations and, crucially, vote for any extra investment that is forthcoming.
Thousands of Scottish fans will be inspired to travel to north America, showcasing our nation and culture on a global stage. Euro 2024 will be remembered for many things, although, from our point of view, perhaps not for the actual football. Above all, it will be remembered for the fans and, among them, one group stood out—the tartan army. Scotland might not have lifted the trophy, but, my goodness, we conquered German hearts and won those of the world. From Munich to Cologne to Stuttgart, the Scots brought joy, humour and music. German newspapers piled on the praise. One of them wrote,
“Dear Scots: We love you”,
and even the German police thanked the fans for creating a special atmosphere. The impact goes beyond the tournament. VisitScotland reported an 83 per cent surge in German traffic to its website during Euro 2024. Scotland’s image as a warm, vibrant nation was amplified globally. That is soft power at its finest—football as a bridge between cultures. The world cup represents an opportunity to put Scotland on the centre stage and make those connections on the global stage. We will look to make the most of those opportunities.
Our US-based colleagues are already turning their minds to planning and engagement, so that we can maximise the economic, tourism, trade, investment and diplomatic opportunities that come with participating in the finals. Needless to say, I love Keith Brown’s idea for the world’s oldest football to be piped on to the centre stage in the opening ceremony, and I am sure that the Scottish Government will do everything that we can to make that happen.
I want to take a moment to recognise that this is also a really exciting moment in time for women’s football in Scotland, not least the Hibs women, who are bringing to light the Hibees in this chamber. On 28 November, the four home nations submitted a bid to host the FIFA women’s world cup in 2035. This would be a transformational opportunity for women’s and girls’ football, driven by passionate fans, strong media reach and innovative digital engagement. It would ensure not just a successful tournament but growth and reinvestment in the women’s game. What an incentive it is for those young players who are starting their football journey to dream about playing in that tournament in front of a home crowd. It is therefore a very exciting time to be a Scotland fan.
When Scotland walks out in North America next summer, the team will carry not just a football dream but the hopes of a nation that is ready to write a new chapter in its history. This qualification is not the end—it is the beginning. It is a chance to inspire, invest and unite. I wish Steve Clarke and his squad the very best of luck. Scotland is back, and the world will take notice.