An Open Letter to Mike Mulraney

Date: 29th July 2026

Dear Mike,

As President of the Scottish Football Association and a member of FIFA’s Finance Committee, you are in a unique position to ensure that the voice of Scottish supporters is heard within FIFA.

Following the recent reports surrounding FIFA’s plans for further commercialisation of the World Cup, I would welcome your response on behalf of Scotland’s travelling supporters.

At World Cup 2026, FIFA repeatedly spoke about the “fan experience”. Yet the memories supporters cherish had nothing to do with corporate hospitality or record revenues. They were the bagpipe-led marches, the yellow school bus convoys filled with singing Scots, supporters from different nations celebrating together, and the friendships forged through football.

Those moments cannot be bought.

What can be bought, however, are increasingly expensive tickets, premium hospitality and commercial rights. Reports of private equity becoming involved in FIFA’s future raise understandable concerns that supporters risk becoming customers rather than the beating heart of the game.

As someone who sits on FIFA’s Finance Committee, can you reassure supporters that affordability, accessibility and supporter culture will remain central to the future of the World Cup?

There is another important consideration. Scotland’s travelling supporters are among our country’s greatest ambassadors. During the World Cup in North America, thousands of local people experienced Scottish culture through our fans. Friendships were formed, communities welcomed us with open arms, and many people spoke of their desire to visit Scotland as a direct result of those encounters.

That goodwill has a lasting value. It generates tourism, strengthens Scotland’s international reputation and creates economic opportunities long after the final whistle has blown. Protecting travelling supporters is therefore not simply good for football—it is good for Scotland.

I therefore ask whether you and the SFA will commit to:

* Opposing measures that further price ordinary supporters out of future World Cups.

* Calling for meaningful consultation with recognised supporter organisations before significant commercial changes are approved.

* Ensuring that supporter experience is measured by accessibility, atmosphere and participation—not simply by revenue generated.

* Championing affordable ticketing and meaningful supporter representation within FIFA.

* Recognising and promoting the wider economic value that Scotland’s travelling supporters bring to our country through tourism, international goodwill and cultural diplomacy.

Scottish supporters have earned worldwide respect for the passion, colour and warmth they bring to every tournament. They are ambassadors for our nation, not simply consumers of a product.

Football’s greatest strength has always been its people. Once ordinary supporters are priced out, that culture cannot simply be bought back.

I hope you will use your influence within FIFA to ensure the World Cup remains the world’s greatest football tournament—not simply the world’s most profitable sporting event.

I, along with many Scotland supporters, would welcome your response and hope the Scottish FA will stand alongside supporter organisations in protecting the future of the people’s game.

Yours sincerely,

John Maclean

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Tags: fans, FIFA, Hampden Park, Scotland, Scottish fans, SFA, UEFA, World Cup