Exclusive:John Swinney will travel to Boston to watch Scotland's World Cup match

While the First Minister’s travel plans have not been officially announced, SNP insiders confirm the US trip will go ahead.

The national men’s team play Haiti in Massachusetts when Group C begins on June 14.

And it is understood Mr Swinney will be there to cheer the side on as they face off with the war-torn Caribbean island.

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A Scottish government spokesman said the full plans will be “confirmed in due course”.

However, it is understood the First Minister is not planning to take members of his cabinet with him.

He is believed to be preparing to meet local politicians and dignitaries during his US visit.

An insider said: “It’s still being kept quiet for now but John Swinney will be in attendance at Scotland’s match against Haiti.

“For appearance’s sake, he has to be there.

“There are no plans for him to stay out in the US or attend any other games - but it would be a little premature to make those kind of arrangements given Scotland’s track record.

“We’ll wait and see if the FM is needed for the final.”

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Mr Swinney was last in America in September 2025 when he flew out to make a renewed appeal for better Scotch whisky trade terms.

The First Minister met with Donald Trump to haggle over the 10 per cent tax the US president had imposed on whisky and other UK goods.

Haiti has had no elected officials for three years and its Transitional Presidential Council ended in February this year.

Criminal gangs set taxes and control access to markets.

Yet the country has managed to call up a credible World Cup men’s team of players with Haitian ancestry, including Wolverhampton’s midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor.

There has also been suggestions former Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard - whose parents are of Haitian heritage - could make an appearance, although he may also be called up for France.

Haiti’s head coach, Sebastian Migne, has never visited Haiti as it too dangerous for foreigners to enter.

Mr Swinney proposed Monday, June 15 be designated a national bank holiday in celebration of Scotland’s World Cup qualifying success.

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The match will be played at 2am UK time - meaning sore heads for fans with work on the Monday morning.

With some optimism, the First Minister said at the time: “The whole nation will come to a standstill in June.

“Even more so in July once we've seen off Brazil and progressed to the knockout stages.”

However, Edinburgh City Council has already knocked back the bank holiday suggestion with the local authority citing concerns over an estimated £350,000 cost for the day off.

Public sector employees in areas controlled by the Scottish government will have a day off depending on their contracts.

However, it has been left up to individual employers to follow suit.

The Scottish government spokesman said: “The First Minister's plans to celebrate the Scotland's men’s national team’s historic return to the World Cup after 28 years will be confirmed in due course.”

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