The Tartan Army’s leading figures have expressed frustration with FIFA over the lack of clarity surrounding ticket prices and distribution for Scotland fans ahead of the highly anticipated World Cup draw taking place today.

As Steve Clarke’s team prepares to learn their group-stage adversaries in Washington this Friday afternoon, fans will have to wait until Saturday night for the finalization of match times and locations.

Fan representatives are concerned that numerous devoted followers, eager to travel to the tournament in the US, Canada, and Mexico, may find themselves unable to afford the trip. Supporters are still in the dark about ticket costs, their seating arrangements if they can purchase them, and the overall availability.

FIFA has announced that a specific quota of eight percent of a stadium’s capacity will be allocated to these fans at a fixed rate, while the remaining tickets will be reserved for sponsors, VIPs, and general sales. This has raised alarm over the potential surge in ticket resales at inflated prices.

Additionally, there are claims that supporters might need to purchase tickets for the entire duration of the tournament, including knockout rounds, with FIFA reportedly planning to impose a ‘refund fee’ if these tickets go unused.

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Now the Association of Tartan Army Clubs have criticised what they perceive as a lack of clarity from FIFA ahead of what is sure to be a mad scramble for tickets.

They posted a statement which read ‘This should be a day of pure joy for Scotland supporters. After 10,027 long days, we finally return to the World Cup stage. Scotland back at the big show. Flags flying. Songs echoing. Optimism rising high.

‘But, instead of celebration, an uncomfortable truth is creeping in – many of the Tartan Army are already being priced out of the trip of a lifetime.

‘Back in France ‘98, tickets cost £38 for the best seats, £27 for mid-range, and £16 if you fancied the behind-the-goals experience – affordable, accessible, and designed for real supporters rather than corporate day-trippers.

‘Last summer in Germany, our Euros allocation put 10,000 Scotland fans where they belong: behind the goals, together, colourful, boisterous, and gloriously loud. It was a spectacle for those in the ground and millions watching around the world.

‘This time? We still have no idea how many tickets we’ll receive, where we’ll be seated, or how much we’ll have to cough up. What we do know is that prices are spiralling into the absurd -and that many fans will simply be locked out.

The draw will be made in Washington on Friday, but details surrounding kick-off times and venues will not be announced until Saturday night

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on a visit to the Kennedy Center ahead of the draw

‘Whispers that fans may be forced to pay for tickets all the way to the final just to secure group stage seats have only added to the outrage.

‘Requiring our supporters to stump up thousands for knockout rounds we’ve never reached would be more than unreasonable – it would be exploitative.

‘And, let’s be honest: FIFA will happily resell any unclaimed tickets to sponsors and VIP guests at premium prices, sipping sparkling water while fans wrestle with refund fees. It’s corporate greed dressed up as “fan engagement”.

‘FIFA have publicly said they’re delighted to see Scotland return to the world stage. Unfortunately, their pricing and allocation behaviour makes the words sound as genuine as a politician’s apology video.

‘The Tartan Army travel everywhere. Rain, shine, or particularly heavy shine. We bring colour, humour, bagpipes, and a sense of camaraderie unmatched anywhere in world football. Yet a huge portion of this support risks being left behind -not because they don’t want to go, but because they simply can’t afford to go.

‘FIFA president Gianni Infantino once attended a Scotland strip launch at Stirling Castle back in 2008, smiling for photos and shaking hands with the fans. He promised football would be returned to its supporters.

‘Fast-forward to today, and you’d be forgiven for thinking he’d misplaced that promise down the back of the world’s most expensive sofa. It doesn’t have to be this way

‘By all means, reserve a sensible percentage of tickets for later-stage fixtures. But don’t force the cost of those empty seats onto ordinary fans. Don’t limit allocations to the point of scattering supporters around stadiums. And don’t pretend football is “for everyone” if the price of entry is a month’s salary.

‘FIFA don’t need to do this. They simply choose to. And that’s the problem because, in the end, the truth remains painfully simple: No Fans = No Game.’