Scotland
FIFA #32
Historically show up, break your heart, go home. Currently in their villain-to-underdog redemption arc.
๐ In the US
Staged in Boston, where Scottish-American heritage runs deep and every pub that shows the match will be full of people who once had a cousin from Dundee. The Tartan Army travels in full kit and full voice regardless of results, which is either inspiring or heartbreaking depending on the scoreline.
Style
High-energy and direct, winning second balls with aggression and using set pieces and crosses as the primary route to goal.
Rivals
England, obviously. Less a football rivalry, more a centuries-long grievance with a football match attached.
Home Base
Scotland invented the passing game โ 'Scottish combination play' from the 1870s was the tactical predecessor of everything that came after. Hampden Park in Glasgow holds the world record for international attendance: 149,415 for Scotland vs England in 1937. The passion is intact; the results have been more complicated.
Human Rights
Freedom House
Political rights and civil liberties score (higher = more free)
Reporters Without Borders
Press Freedom Index ranking (lower = more free, out of 180 countries)
UN Human Development Index
Human Development Index score (higher = more developed, 0โ1 scale)
Transparency International
Perceived public sector corruption โ higher is cleaner
ILGA World
Legal status of same-sex relationships