Matt Damon hails Scottish football fans’ Boston takeover as ‘epic’
By Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment Reporter
Hollywood star Matt Damon has hailed the Scottish football fans taking over Boston during the 2026 Fifa World Cup as “epic”.
The Oscar-winner, 55, said it was “so awesome” to hear stories about the Tartan Army, as they flocked to the Massachusetts city ahead of Scotland’s clash against Morocco.
Scotland fans flocked to the US, Canada and Mexico – where the tournament was being held – last month, as the country qualified for their first World Cup in 28 years.
But the country was eliminated from the tournament early on after Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 at the end of the group stage.
Appearing on Late Night With Seth Myers, actor Damon spoke fondly of the Scottish football fans – who hit headlines for taking over Boston, and were lauded for their behaviour, generosity and patter.
He said: “The Scottish fans in Boston. That was one of my favourite storylines in this World Cup. It was so awesome.
“I heard a story that there was a bunch of Scots outside a liquor store, and a woman walked in and bought a bottle of water and they booed her.
“It was epic.”
I heard that we instantly declared ourselves a sister city with one of the cities in Scotland
Damon, who was raised in Massachusetts, said: “I heard that we instantly declared ourselves a sister city with one of the cities in Scotland.
“We just knew – ‘oh yeah, you guys are just like us’.”
Damon, who is married to Argentinian film producer Luciana Barroso, also recounted celebrating the South American country’s triumph over England in the thrilling semi-final match.
He said: “We scared the shit out of our dogs.
“Our dogs were hiding, they didn’t know what was happening – it was a pretty rambunctious household.”
The Odyssey star also joked about his co-star Tom Holland and director Sir Christopher Nolan, who are both British, being upset over the devastating defeat of the men’s national football team.
“A lot of folks (are) not talking to me today,” he said.
Damon went on to praise Harry Kane’s men, adding: “They made it to the semi-finals twice, they had a couple great runs.
“Then they ran into Argentina.”
The award-winning actor and his wife were among the stars spotted attending the nail-biting World Cup final on Sunday, during which Spain clinched a 1-0 victory over Argentina in extra-time.
Damon is best known for his breakthrough role in Good Will Hunting, which he co-wrote with his friend and fellow actor Ben Affleck, who also starred in the film.
He has also starred in blockbusters including The Martian and The Departed, as well as the action-packed Jason Bourne franchise.
