FIFA Allows Scottish Sporrans at 2026 World Cup

Scotland's passionate football supporters have secured permission to wear their traditional sporrans with kilts at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following an agreement between FIFA and the Scottish Football Association. The decision resolves initial security concerns and allows fans to embrace their cultural attire during the tournament, set for June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The ruling comes as relief to thousands of Scottish fans, known as the Tartan Army, who feared restrictions on bag sizes at U.S. stadiums would force them to abandon a key element of their national dress. Kilts, which resemble knee-length skirts and lack pockets, traditionally pair with sporrans, fur or leather pouches worn at the front to hold personal items. Under tournament security protocols, only clear, see-through bags up to 30 centimeters by 30 centimeters by 15 centimeters, or small non-transparent bags no larger than 11 centimeters by 16.5 centimeters, are permitted. Many sporrans exceed these limits, prompting worries that supporters would need to store them in external lockers or forgo them entirely.

Negotiations between the SFA and FIFA addressed these issues...