Philipp Lahm, the tournament director of Euro 2024, has praised Scotland's Tartan Army for exemplifying the joy of the World Cup, arguing that their presence strengthens the case for expanding the tournament to 48 teams. Writing in a column produced with Die Zeit, Lahm described watching videos of Scottish fans marching through Boston in kilts, playing bagpipes, and cheering their team to a 2-1 victory against Haiti—their first World Cup win in 36 years. After the match, the fans attended a Boston Red Sox baseball game, turning it into a World Cup celebration with their singing and knee-length red socks.
The Impact of Scottish Fans
Lahm recalled a local moved to tears, thanking the Scots for “the best time” of his life. He noted that Miami can now look forward to a similar Scottish invasion. Lahm also shared his own experiences with Scottish fans during Euro 2024, saying they won the hearts of Germans quickly. Friendships were forged, and his daughter keeps a pin from a Scottish fan as a memento. Lahm said, “Whenever I’ve been asked about the purpose of major sporting events, I’ve always thought first of the 2006 World Cup... Only in retrospect, through my encounter with the Scots, did I realise that the guests play the leading role.”
Case for a 48-Team World Cup
Lahm argued that Scotland's participation, after failing to qualify under the 32-team format since 1998, is proof that expanding to 48 teams is beneficial. He acknowledged criticism of the expanded tournament, including from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who questioned its quality, and 13 non-European nations that wrote an open letter of protest. Lahm countered that UEFA's interests differ from the rest of the world and that FIFA's mission is to develop football globally through participation. “Differences in quality must be accepted,” he wrote.
Global Participation and Underdog Stories
Lahm highlighted that in the first eight World Cup finals, only one African country participated: Egypt in 1934. In 1966, African nations boycotted the tournament because FIFA did not guarantee direct qualification. He noted that this World Cup is producing heroic stories, such as DR Congo securing a draw against Portugal, newcomers Cape Verde drawing with Spain and Uruguay, and Uzbekistan—a team from central Asia for the first time—equalising against Colombia. He praised the sight of Uzbekistan's head coach, Fabio Cannavaro, a World Cup winner in 2006, celebrating with goalscorer Abbosbek Fayzullaev.
Balancing Quality and Expansion
Lahm acknowledged that stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland share the spotlight with underdogs during the group stage, but soon it will be theirs alone again. He argued that the new format with a round of 32 makes the group stage resemble the first round of a cup competition, which some traditionalists find objectionable but others accept.
Criticism of FIFA
Lahm directed criticism at FIFA where warranted, including ticket prices and a lack of transparency about demand. He also expressed irritation at the suggestion to hold the World Cup every two years, stating that a tournament needs preparation and follow-up for lasting impact. He criticised the bloated Club World Cup for compressing the calendar and increasing strain on players, asking, “How many more competitions and matches can professionals be expected to handle?”
Concerns About Leadership
Lahm expressed concern about FIFA president Gianni Infantino's close ties to powerful figures such as Donald Trump, saying the World Cup is being “sold out,” which robs football of credibility. He noted that fans are uneasy and struggle to separate FIFA from the event itself. Lahm called for a strong Europe and UEFA to counter this, praising Ceferin's announcement of low ticket prices for Euro 2028 and efforts to keep accommodation and travel affordable. “Football must not be reserved for an elite,” Lahm wrote.
The Spirit of the World Cup
Lahm concluded by recalling the motto of the 2006 World Cup: “Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden” (“The world as guests of friends”). He said he experienced that spirit in South Africa and Brazil, his other two World Cups as a player, and hopes it returns in the future. The column was produced in partnership with Oliver Fritsch at Die Zeit.
