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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to be English,  but really really want  Scotland to win the world cup.

383 replies

fruitandbarley · 16/06/2026 21:36

After decades of disappointment I've pretty much given up on watching England with any hope.

I have Scottish in laws and love the place anyway but after seeing all the videos of the tartan army in Boston I'd so love for them to win ( however unlikely that may be!)

OP posts:
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Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 19/06/2026 18:03

Watch Two Doors Down when Colin talks about the tartan army running amok somewhere. Funny but then again maybe not so funny. I’ve got a Scottish uncle by marriage and Scottish cousins.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 19/06/2026 18:03

Murica · 19/06/2026 17:41

I'm near Boston and I'm loving the Tartan Army. They actually got me interested in the World Cup. I will love it if they go far and come back for a quarter final.

An old Scottish traditional song - I know a happy home far, far away, where they drink whisky nearly every day, ham and eggs they never see, dirty water for my tea — and that’s why they included me in olde Boston’s home…😍

The Tartan Army has rolled into Boston and they’re doing Scotland proud. Singing this old favourite, they turn a simple tune into a travelling tradition that fits any household, any background, anyone who hears it. It’s the kind of song that makes a city feel like home, even across the ocean.
Because everyone knows: No Scotland, no party.

Ang69 · 19/06/2026 18:02

countrylife00 · 19/06/2026 17:54

Only in Scotland.
we have lived in loads of countries and everyone else was fabulous.
Quote from my husband when asked if he would like to go back to Aberdeen or go to work in Kuwait, ‘ I will take the bullet in Kuwait thanks’.

He was happy to work in Aberdeen for the money though. People like you and your husband are the ones that give the English a bad name, thankfully the majority of English people are lovely and not stuck up would be snobs like you two.

Murica · 19/06/2026 18:00

Differentforgirls · 19/06/2026 17:43

Are we twinned with Boston now?

Yes!
Haggis is also legal here now.

Sometimessmiling · 19/06/2026 17:58

The fans from Scotland have just donated 10k to a local children's hospital in Boston. They always donate to a local charity when they are visiting. From a very proud Scot, 8 am blessed to be Scottish

countrylife00 · 19/06/2026 17:54

Differentforgirls · 19/06/2026 17:51

You seem to surround yourself by people who hate others.

Only in Scotland.
we have lived in loads of countries and everyone else was fabulous.
Quote from my husband when asked if he would like to go back to Aberdeen or go to work in Kuwait, ‘ I will take the bullet in Kuwait thanks’.

Ang69 · 19/06/2026 17:53

countrylife00 · 19/06/2026 17:45

No, my husband was able to earn a lot of money as a drilling manager….
i didn’t want to leave London.
Believe what you want.
All the Aberdonians hated the Glaswegians. So it wasn’t just the English.
They spent a lot of time telling me about the perils of Glasgow.

The perils of Glasgow?? Honestly, you sound insufferable. You came to Scotland just for the money then left. Now you're saying Scottish people hate the English as well as Glaswegians. You really are a shit stirrer. I was a nurse in the 90's and worked with plenty of English staff, never any issues. It seems it really was your sparkling personality they took offense to. You really should read back your posts, you are so far up your backside it's laughable.

Differentforgirls · 19/06/2026 17:51

countrylife00 · 19/06/2026 17:45

No, my husband was able to earn a lot of money as a drilling manager….
i didn’t want to leave London.
Believe what you want.
All the Aberdonians hated the Glaswegians. So it wasn’t just the English.
They spent a lot of time telling me about the perils of Glasgow.

You seem to surround yourself by people who hate others.

countrylife00 · 19/06/2026 17:45

Differentforgirls · 19/06/2026 17:34

There you go. It’s easy to see why you had a hard time. Did you move to Scotland due to a problem in England mibbe?

No, my husband was able to earn a lot of money as a drilling manager….
i didn’t want to leave London.
Believe what you want.
All the Aberdonians hated the Glaswegians. So it wasn’t just the English.
They spent a lot of time telling me about the perils of Glasgow.

Differentforgirls · 19/06/2026 17:43

Murica · 19/06/2026 17:41

I'm near Boston and I'm loving the Tartan Army. They actually got me interested in the World Cup. I will love it if they go far and come back for a quarter final.

Are we twinned with Boston now?

Murica · 19/06/2026 17:41

I'm near Boston and I'm loving the Tartan Army. They actually got me interested in the World Cup. I will love it if they go far and come back for a quarter final.

Differentforgirls · 19/06/2026 17:34

countrylife00 · 19/06/2026 17:33

Well there you go.
You must be choking. But the sister before me was very strict. Sounds like she was clueless . I was trained at the best hospital in the UK and was able to train them and bring them on.
Sorry to disappoint, must be hard to bear.

There you go. It’s easy to see why you had a hard time. Did you move to Scotland due to a problem in England mibbe?

countrylife00 · 19/06/2026 17:33

Differentforgirls · 19/06/2026 17:30

Doubt it.

Well there you go.
You must be choking. But the sister before me was very strict. Sounds like she was clueless . I was trained at the best hospital in the UK and was able to train them and bring them on.
Sorry to disappoint, must be hard to bear.

Differentforgirls · 19/06/2026 17:30

countrylife00 · 19/06/2026 17:05

Oh thank you sweetie.
By the end of my stint they were begging me to stay. Said I was the kindest sister they had worked for.

Doubt it.

countrylife00 · 19/06/2026 17:05

DugnuttEyeBoogies · 19/06/2026 00:13

Maybe it was just your sparkling personality

Oh thank you sweetie.
By the end of my stint they were begging me to stay. Said I was the kindest sister they had worked for.

soupmaker · 19/06/2026 15:54

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 19/06/2026 15:12

I don’t think it’s accurate to jump from football‑related banter to “Scotland hates England.” Polls about who people support in a tournament don’t measure actual hostility — they measure sporting rivalry, which is a completely different thing.

Most Scots I know don’t “hate” England; they just enjoy the ABE humour because it’s part of the culture around football. It’s the same way plenty of English fans enjoy winding up the Scots. None of that automatically translates into real animosity between people in day‑to‑day life.

If you look beyond football, Scots and English people overwhelmingly live, work, socialise, and build families together without any issue. A rivalry on the pitch doesn’t define an entire nation’s feelings.

Well said @HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend

I’m Scottish, lived in England for over a decade, regularly holiday in England, have a lot of English friends and work colleagues. I warmed to the England football team under Southgate and actively supported the Lionesses. But when push comes to shove, once England get to the semi-final stage I will be supporting ABE! It’s just football rivalry.

Ang69 · 19/06/2026 15:45

Inverness1900 · 19/06/2026 13:57

Have you ever actually been to Scotland, or met a Scot? To suggest a large amount of us are in any way supporting England, is a bit ridiculous. We have no reason to. It's not our team. Why would we be supporting England? The polls don't bear your claim out.

Yes I've been to Scotland, born in Glasgow and have lived the majority of my life here. I was referring to the many posts from Scottish people on this thread. Plenty of Scots support England

There is no question there is rivalry, I was talking about us hating the English which we don't. Just because the majority of Scotland don't support England doesn't mean we can't stand them.

I support Scotland and England as I see them both as home teams. I will always support any UK team, why wouldn't I? I just don't go along with the ABE mentality but understand that deep rooted rivalry exists and that's OK too. It's just football and the majority is done in jest.

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 19/06/2026 15:26

There is a difference between not supporting your rivals and actively supporting any team they play against

I don't think it's a "difference" as much as it is a barometer of how strongly you feel the animosity.

A lot is made of the "ABE" attitude, but the reality is exactly the same thing happens in club football.

I personally couldn't care less about the results of my club's rivals. To me they are just another opponent the same as any other. I pay no attention to how they fare because it has no relevance to, or impact upon my club.

I doubt though, that you'll find many Man United fans cheering on Man City in an FA Cup Final vs Crystal Palace, or Rangers fans cheering on Celtic's performances in the CL. On the contrary.

I feel differently about International football though. At least with England qualifying for the majority of tournaments it means I always have an interest, because there is always an opponent to support. Until they get knocked out anyway, then the interest just reverts to being non-partisan.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 19/06/2026 15:12

Inverness1900 · 19/06/2026 13:52

"I’ll be wasting my breath to say the ABE stuff mostly really is the Scottish sense of humour, which is notoriously hard to read. Mostly cause the people on here who don’t believe me aren’t listening anyway."

Polling doesn't bear that out, Fewer than a third of Scots wish the England team well, or support them, according to multiple polls.

Edited

I don’t think it’s accurate to jump from football‑related banter to “Scotland hates England.” Polls about who people support in a tournament don’t measure actual hostility — they measure sporting rivalry, which is a completely different thing.

Most Scots I know don’t “hate” England; they just enjoy the ABE humour because it’s part of the culture around football. It’s the same way plenty of English fans enjoy winding up the Scots. None of that automatically translates into real animosity between people in day‑to‑day life.

If you look beyond football, Scots and English people overwhelmingly live, work, socialise, and build families together without any issue. A rivalry on the pitch doesn’t define an entire nation’s feelings.

Perpetualscroller · 19/06/2026 14:07

Inverness1900 · 19/06/2026 13:52

"I’ll be wasting my breath to say the ABE stuff mostly really is the Scottish sense of humour, which is notoriously hard to read. Mostly cause the people on here who don’t believe me aren’t listening anyway."

Polling doesn't bear that out, Fewer than a third of Scots wish the England team well, or support them, according to multiple polls.

Edited

There is a difference between not supporting your rivals and actively supporting any team they play against. And people will vote in these polls even though they don’t really mean it. It’s a Scottish humour/pride thing. It doesn’t mean we hate the English.

Inverness1900 · 19/06/2026 13:59

DugnuttEyeBoogies · 19/06/2026 00:00

Yes I think the pundits/media are usually the issue - bigging up England, acting as if it’s their right to win something.

the actual team themselves don’t act or talk arrogantly like that. I remember interviews during the Euros and thinking what a pleasant sensible bunch of young lads most of them seemed to be.

I always feel sorry for anyone who misses a penalty to lose a match. Whatever the team. Such a sickening moment for them and their team.

Their first goal against Croatia, and they were already posting "it's coming home!" like they'd won the whole thing.

Inverness1900 · 19/06/2026 13:57

Ang69 · 18/06/2026 17:49

Have you actually read the many posts from Scottish people saying we support England? I haven't seen a single post saying the English are hated. Yes, there is rivalry but not hatred. Why are you so angry? I ask this genuinely.

Have you ever actually been to Scotland, or met a Scot? To suggest a large amount of us are in any way supporting England, is a bit ridiculous. We have no reason to. It's not our team. Why would we be supporting England? The polls don't bear your claim out.

SaySomethingMan · 19/06/2026 13:56

darksideofthetoon · 17/06/2026 18:22

My 6 year old daughter keeps asking if Scotland might win The World Cup. I don’t know how many times I can explain the zero probability of it actually happening. I’ve got more chance of being wealthier than Musk this time next year.

But that’s part of the appeal, the underdog and the dream of it happening… the biggest party since the year 2000!

Now England on the other hand have an outside chance. Keep it low expectations and let the lads get on. Would also be a phenomenal thing to see so best of luck to them.

Bless her. The hope of a child is next to
none eh?
And also the beauty of the game.
I have Ioved watching fans of various ´underdog’ teams jubilating at matches ending in a draw or even just scoring a goal and losing. They’re just so happy to be there and enjoy the atmosphere 🎊🎉🥳

Sure, England should do their best and compete but my, those delusions of grandeur. The players and managers then suffer for it.

Inverness1900 · 19/06/2026 13:52

Perpetualscroller · 18/06/2026 16:06

Thanks all for adding to my list. I started with the most famous and successful worldwide to prove my point. I didn’t even begin to name the many, many individual footballers (men and women, Kim Little) or Rugby players who have had unbelievable success with their respective teams. Just cause the teams often fall short, doesn’t mean the Scots are collectively bad at all sport.

I will add, as a proud Scot, that I also proudly wave my Union Jack every other 4 years for the Olympics, supporting athletes from all 4 nations with equal gusto and measure. I’m another Scot that’s not a member of the ABE camp and quite like to see the team doing well. I watched the game last night and thought they were impressive, especially after Saka came on.

I’ll be wasting my breath to say the ABE stuff mostly really is the Scottish sense of humour, which is notoriously hard to read. Mostly cause the people on here who don’t believe me aren’t listening anyway.

Yes there are some who take it seriously, but I would also point out this is football, it’s not exclusive to Scots. Ask an Arsenal fan to support Spurs in Europe. Ask a Liverpool fan to support Everton in the FA cup final. It’s Derby’s and rivalry, and it’s what the sport is about.

OP, we’d be delighted to have you on board and wishing us well - we really can do with all the support we can get! In my turn, I also wish England well, and I’ll leave it at that.

"I’ll be wasting my breath to say the ABE stuff mostly really is the Scottish sense of humour, which is notoriously hard to read. Mostly cause the people on here who don’t believe me aren’t listening anyway."

Polling doesn't bear that out, Fewer than a third of Scots wish the England team well, or support them, according to multiple polls.

tilypu · 19/06/2026 13:34

Harry12345 · 19/06/2026 08:49

She meant Aberdeen and rangers

Ah yeah. Thanks :)