Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

World Cup: Travelling Fans

Wednesday 25 February 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government are working with partners in host countries and the Scottish Football Association to provide guidance to supporters on travel, security and consular assistance.
  • Hon Friend questioned the price of beer in Boston, Massachusetts, for Scotland's first game, noting it as relatively affordable compared to speculative claims.
  • Respectfully pointed out that Scotland qualified for the World Cup under a Labour Government, contrasting with the previous qualification under a different administration.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Torcuil Crichton Lab Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question is prompted by the upcoming FIFA World Cup and concerns support for Scottish football fans travelling to the event.

Question

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support Scottish football fans travelling to the FIFA world cup 2026?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

The UK Government are working with partners in the host countries and the Scottish Football Association to provide guidance to supporters on travel, security and consular assistance. We are determined to help everyone have a fantastic and safe world cup, hopefully beyond the group stages.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete steps or mechanisms for support

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Q2 Torcuil Crichton Lab Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Scotland
Context

The question is prompted by concerns about trade tariffs affecting costs and the specific price of a pint of beer in Boston where Scotland is due to play its first game.

Question

Despite fears of trade tariffs, I have checked and the price of a pint of beer in Boston, Massachusetts, where Scotland is due to play its first game, is about $8. That is a bargain, because the SNP wants to charge its fans £750 a pint to have a drink with the right hon. Member for Aberdeen South (Stephen Flynn), who, unusually, is not in his seat today. I am always open to a pint with the Opposition, but would the Secretary of State rather have a beer in Boston with the tartan army or a pint of bitter with the SNP?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

I commend my hon. Friend for his question. I am not sure that I'll be coming down the road to have a pint with the right hon. Member for Aberdeen South (Stephen Flynn) any time soon. Come to think of it, I would walk 500 miles to avoid having a beer and a blether with him.

Not addressed: Did not address the question about preferences regarding where to have a drink

How: Criticizing Opposition Member

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Q3 Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire
Scotland
Context

The question is prompted by the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualification achieved under a Labour government.

Question

I am quite surprised at that last question, because one of the things that Scotland qualifying for the world cup brings is a unity to the nation. We are all looking forward to Scotland competing for the first time since 1998. We will all get selfies—it will be us with the tartan army. Does the Secretary of State think that there is any chance that we will get a photograph with the Prime Minister and Anas Sarwar?

Answer from Douglas Alexander

I respectfully point out that we qualified under a Labour Government this time, and the last time, when I was there in the Stade de France, there was a UK Labour Government.

Not addressed: Did not address the question about taking photos with Prime Minister and another member

How: Changing Subject To Past Achievements

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