Everyone’s obviously keeping a close eye on the pitch and the teams on them, but a special part of the World Cup isn’t just what’s happening on the field; it’s the fans that come from all over and fill those stadium seats. From Scotland’s Tartan Army to Brazil’s Torcidas, here are our favorite fan bases, celebrating in and outside the game, that will make you want to cheer along!
Scotland
"No Scotland, No Party" has to be one of the most iconic chants this World Cup. And the Tartan Army has proved that slogan time and time again, marching through Boston and Miami with their bagpipes and kilts. Scotland proves you don’t need a top-tier soccer team to have a good time. Especially since they don’t only limit their support to the stadiums -- they drink bars dry, decorate statues with traffic cones, and transform every World Cup fixture into an all-day traveling street party that feels like soccer meets Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Boston enjoyed their company so much they even signed a deal to make Glasgow its permanent sister city!
Japan
Japan’s supporters bring a striking mixture of discipline and devotion, turning the notion that all soccer fans are rowdy and impolite on its head. With their coordinated chants and their now-famous post-match stadium cleanups, Japan’s presence combines unity and national pride with respect. Instead of being chaotic, Japanese World Cup fans make every moment intentionally shared, and they will be sorely missed in Dallas.
Australia
The Socceroos are the world’s favorite underdogs, and their fanbase pours that energy and irreverent charm into all of their support. Loud, witty, and never short on belief, they transform every game into a scrappy, high-stakes spectacle. Their humorous chants are infectious and match their team’s unpredictability and grit, making them a raucously fun bandwagon to hop on.
Norway
Norway’s fanbase carries a quieter intensity, allowing their restraint to amplify the stakes and drama in a World Cup match. But their infamous celebratory Viking dance, performed in stadiums and the New York City subway alike, where they row to the same rhythm, is nothing if not electric. Their unified strokes match their team’s surgical precision with the ball, lighting their slow-burning cheers aflame. The intimate yet powerful release of match day tension makes any passerby want to hop aboard and row alongside the Norwegians.
Brazil
Watching soccer isn’t merely an act for the Torcidas, but a performance. Every match becomes a festival of color, rhythm, and emotion when they’re in the building. Samba beats and spontaneous choreography blur the line between sport and spectacle. They bring the heart of Carnival to every game they attend, dancing through joy and frustration. Plus, the supporters of the 5-time World Cup champions are sure to only heat up as the tournament goes on, with their team having a real shot at bringing a 6th title home.
Sports festivities are always more fun when you have a group of people to celebrate with. So hop in on the excitement, and get behind a team with a great fanbase culture behind them!
