We've been bringing you reaction after Scotland's men secured a place at the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Here are some of the key lines:

• Fans have been sharing their experiences of watching last night's 4-2 win over Denmark
• After a rollercoaster of a match, there was an outpouring of emotion as the Tartan Army celebrated the victory
• Scotland will find out who they will be facing in the group stages when the draw is made on Friday 5 December
• Travel expert Simon Calder advised fans that "it's never too early" to start planning and said it might be worth booking a transatlantic flight to a host city now
• The matches will be played in the US, Canada and Mexico
• It is anticipated that kick-off times will mirror those at the Club World Cup, when the earliest games started at 17:00 BST, followed by matches at 20:00, 23:00 and 02:00
• Scotland's politicians were united in paying tribute to the team
• There are calls for manager Steve Clarke to be knighted, for pubs to be given special late night licences, and for a holiday on the day of Scotland’s opening match

James Cook
Scotland editor

Football has shaped Scotland’s cultural identity.

Once a weekly escape from the shipyards and the mines, the game still has the capacity to unite and to surprise in the era of the smartphone and the games console.

The last time Scotland partied like this - the last time the men's national side played in a World Cup - Bill Clinton was in the White House, Google didn't exist and there was no Scottish Parliament.

Now, for the first time in the 21st Century, Scotland's men are heading to the World Cup finals.

The veteran commentator and author, Archie MacPherson, told me the result was about more than football.

"Every now and then, a country has to look at its culture and see how do you value sport? How important is sport in all the ingredients that make up a nation?

"I think last night we saw it in the reaction of the supporters.

"So that's the effect it'll have. There'll be a boost to morale in a kind of a way.

"Some people might say: 'Oh come on, it's only a football match.' Tell that to a football supporter!"

Image source, Getty Images

The BBC's TV coverage of the Scotland v Denmark match was watched by a UK-wide average audience of 2.7 million.

It was the highest for any match featuring the Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland men's teams this year.

Hayley Valentine, director of BBC Scotland, said it was "an incredible night for Scottish football and for our audiences.

"The atmosphere around the match was electric, and it’s fantastic that so many fans could share the excitement live and free-to-air."

Every World Cup campaign needs its own song and this one will be no different.

The man behind Scotland's unofficial anthem for the 2024 Euros in Germany, No Scotland No Party, hopes to be in with a shout again.

Nick Morgan says it is "amazing" that people are still singing the track, which has become part of the Tartan Army's songbook.

Nick says he has been working on a song for the World Cup and is excited to see what other people do for the campaign.

"Everyone comes up with songs and hopefully someone creates one we can all enjoy for years again."

Billy, from Edinburgh, says he couldn't be prouder of the Scotland team.

"I just couldn't get over it," he says.

"To reach the World Cup, you just can't do any better."

Billy praised the effort of the players.

"You couldn't ask for any more, the lads have done us proud," he says.

"My grandson has never seen Scotland play in the World Cup. This is a big, big thing. It was one of those nights you'll never see again.

"I think everyone feels the same in Scotland, we couldn't be any prouder for what they've done for us.

"We follow them all the time, and for them to do that for us, you couldn't ask for any more."

Donna said she "thinks its fabulous" that Scotland is going to the World Cup.

Once the third and fourth goals were scored last night she said her reaction was: "Yes, Yes, we've done it, for a change, we've done it."

Fiona summed up Cara's reaction to the win in one word: "Screaming."

Cara said the victory was "absolutely fantastic".

"What a goal, especially the last one," she said.

When asked about Scotland's chances next year, Cara said: "You've got to be in it to win it.

"We've done well," she said. "Deservedly so, we fight on."

Morna Findlay, from Midlothian, followed Scotland to Italy for the World Cup in 1990 but she couldn't watch the match last night. "Far, far too stressful," she told us.

"I kept peeking at the website to keep an eye on the score then decided it must be good luck that we weren't watching.

"But watching (immediately) on catch-up was bliss. So happy for the team, the manager and all the backroom staff."

Kevin Fraser, from Aberdeen, said that seeing his daughter's delight on a news clip is "sending me over the edge".

"Four hours sleep, nine hours in a car, blizzards, who cares? Over the moon doesn't even begin to describe it."

Meanwhile John Walker praises the Scotland team's performance, their resilience and their great goals. And then he asks: "Has anyone sent the Belarus team a case of whisky for drawing with Denmark on Saturday?

"Without it last night would have been worthless."

World Cup qualification unites Scotland's politicianspublished at 16:12 GMT 19 November 2025

16:12 GMT 19 November 2025

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Football has managed a rare feat.

It's united Scotland's politicians.

The Conservative MSP and referee Douglas Ross asked an Urgent Question about the World Cup qualification at Holyrood, pointing out it was something MSPs had never discussed before because the last time the Scotland team were at the World Cup was pre-devolution.

He said last night was "breathtaking, nerve-wracking and emotional" and that next year's tournament would be the better for the Tartan Army's presence.

Health Secretary Neil Gray revealed that the first minister is planning to invite Steve Clarke and the team to his official residence, Bute House, for a celebration.

With 11pm and 2am kick off times a possibility, the Lib Dems argued pubs should be given special late-night licences during next summer's competition.

Meanwhile, the Labour MSP Neil Bibby called for the Scotland manager to get a knighthood.

In Edinburgh, Scotland supporters John and Allison Pender shared their rollercoaster of emotions after watching their team secure a dramatic victory.

"I was jumping all over the place," says John. "And then I was a wee bit sad, and then I was jumping all over the place again, and then I couldn't believe it and then I was jumping all over the place again."

For John, the match was unforgettable.

"I've never known a match like it in my life," he says.

"We've all been waiting years for this."

Allison, who watched in a nearby pub, adds: "The place was in uproar, I was shouting and screaming, and then they scored another one."

"And she's English," says John.

"I'm not now," insists his wife.

The pair plan on following the team to America next summer.

But one loyal fan will not be joining them, despite Allison saying he was the Scotland team's “top supporter”, is Ringo the dog, who will have to stay home.

Image source, PA

First Minister John Swinney has said that “Scotland is utterly rejoicing at what was a magnificent spectacle of goal-scoring” at Hampden last night.

He has offered a “warm tribute” to Steve Clarke and the Scotland national men’s team for what he described as an “outstanding performance”.

Speaking at an institute for government event in London, Mr Swinney confirmed that he attended the match against Denmark and went to bed feeling an “overwhelming excitement” at Scotland’s triumph.

The first minister will invite the Scottish team to a reception at Bute House to celebrate their achievement.

Scott McTominay scores the goal which starts a rollercoaster of emotions ending in Scotland achieving automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup.

And what did he do as soon as his acrobatic kick sent the ball into the back of the net?

Tell his mum, of course.

With eyes fixed on the crowd while running from the goal and his teammates, the Napoli player was seen mouthing over and over: “Where’s my mum?”

On spotting her he blew a kiss.

When playing for English Premier League side Manchester United, the Lancaster-born footballer wrote about his “most amazing parents”, Frank and Julie.

In the United Family piece, published in October 2023, he said: “My mum and dad took me all over, travelled so many miles to take me to play football and they only did that because I enjoyed it so much and I would always tell them that I loved doing it.

Image source, PA

The Scottish Greens are calling for a holiday on the day of Scotland’s opening World Cup match.

The party's co-leader Gillian Mackay says millions of Scots are looking forward to seeing the men’s team playing on the biggest stage.

"Lots of people will already be counting down and thinking about how they can make sure they get the day off work.

“Football is for all of us. What better way to bring the country together than to make it a bank holiday and ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to watch it?”

Former Scotland international Frank McAvennie described the Scotland team's performance as "just incredible".

"I thought they would win but, God, they put us through it didn't they?" he tells BBC Scotland.

"One of the best goals you could ever see in such an important game as a play-off from McTominay. Another cracker from KT (Kieran Tierney) and then the one at the end when I was thinking 'take it to the corner'.

"I'd have taken Shankland's goal as well. They all count and they were four great goals as far as I'm concerned."

James Mcilkenny lived in Paris with his family during France 98 and still has memories of being on the Champs Elysees with the Tartan Army and Brazil fans the night before the opening game.

"Eleven-year-old me thought this would be a regular feature for Scotland," he told BBC Scotland News.

"Last night at Hampden was something that I don't think I'll every experience again. Emotional rollercoaster and after witnessing so many heartaches in the past, this felt so incredibly special."

David Carney got in touch with us from Norwich to confess to being an England fan - but even he has been watching last night's goals over and over again.

"Good luck at the World Cup and the competition will be all the better for the Scotland fans being there," he said.

Meanwhile 72-year-old Alexander Duncan summed up his feelings succinctly: "BEST ROLLERCOASTER I'VE EVER BEEN ON".

Get in touch with your own comments, photographs and videos by filling in this form.

Lori Carnochan
South Scotland reporter

Image source, Ross Hyslop

A former Queen of the South and Motherwell goalkeeper only managed to get his hands on a ticket to Hampden thanks to snow in Shetland.

Dumfries-based Ross Hyslop, who is now a firefighter, landed the ticket because a fan in Shetland was unable to leave the island after becoming snowed in.

The 34-year-old, who also played for Scunthorpe United, said the 4-2 win over Denmark was an "I was there moment".

"It was so surreal and even now it doesn't feel real," he told BBC Scotland News.

"I feel sorry for the guy who couldn't make it but I was in amongst his friends hugging and celebrating with these strangers from Shetland. It was a night for everyone to come together and it was truly special."

Hyslop trained alongside fellow Dumfries footballer Grant Hanley, who was drafted into the starting line-up after John Souter suffered an injury during the pre-match warm-up.

Ross spoke with Grant's family at the match and said he was delighted for his childhood friend.

"To see a boy from Dumfries who's worked so, so hard to achieve this dream is unbelievable."

How much did you lose it over the Scotland match last night?

These fans were certainly lost for words as they celebrated the crucial goals - and there might be some lost voices today.

Patriotic BBC Radio Scotland presenter Michelle McManus recorded her full Afternoons show with her face painted in a saltire design and dressed in a full Scotland football kit.

She had vowed to do the stunt if Scotland managed to beat Denmark on Tuesday night.

Labour's MP for the Western Isles, Torcuil Crichton, took the opportunity to ask a cheeky, football-themed question at Prime Minister's Questions earlier.

He said: "When the Prime Minister next meets with the President of the United States, can he ask him if he knows any reasonably priced hotels near the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey where the World Cup final is to be held?"

It brought a smile from Keir Starmer, but the PM was keeping his cards close to his chest!

Two of the Tartan Army's most dedicated fans have been speaking on Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live.

Hamish Husband says he hugged fans all around him at the game: "I was crying, I was weeping, I looked around at other people crying.

"It was stunning."

Hamish's son Elliot tells the programme "I'm still struggling to comprehend it.

"My voice is gone since the fourth one went in last night."

He adds: "The stars really aligned, didn't they?"

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen McGill had tickets to see Last Dinner Party at Glasgow's Barrowlands last night. So despite being at Hampden for the Greece and Belarus games, he couldn't be there for the Denmark clash.

Instead, he watched the first half in a pub, then relied on BBC Sport Scotland alerts to keep him updated during the gig.

"When it went to 2-2 I thought that was it," the Kilmarnock man told us.

"Suddenly there was a burst of mid-song cheering rippling right through the crowd and people jumping up and down.

"I looked to see that Tierney had scored but there were still a few minutes of added time to go.

"I gave in and put the live feed on just in time to see McLean’s shot sailing over Kasper Schmeichel into the net. Clearly other folk had done the same as a huge roar went up.

"To be fair to LDP they yelled out their congratulations too, and as the band left the stage Yes, Sir I can Boogie blared out over the PA and the Barrowlands was bouncing!"

Get in touch with your experience of last night, and your images and videos here.

Fans' reaction to Scotland's incredible victory last night continues to come in thick and fast.

Darren Calder, from the North East Scotland Tartan Army, was at the match and he says "it couldn't have gone any more to plan".

Darren admits that when Denmark scored their second goal he thought it was all over for Scotland.

"Then the last five minutes of that game... I've never felt anything like it.

"It was just unbelieveable."

"When Kenny McLean scored from the halfway line it was just bedlam," he adds.

Darren says he will definitely be going to the World Cup, although he might have to go to "the bank of mum"!