I could spend hours viewing online clips of Scottish supporters. Clad in kilts, they marched through Boston with bagpipes playing. Inside the venue the Tartan Army urged their side to success versus Haiti in their opening World Cup triumph after 36 years.

Later the group attended a baseball match where they sang and sported knee-high red socks turning a Boston Red Sox contest into a World Cup highlight. Locals explained the sport's rules which often puzzle Europeans.

One resident appeared emotional while crediting the Scots for creating the finest experience of his life. Miami now anticipates the Scottish arrival. Norwegian and Dutch fans create comparable memories on their travels. Fans truly embody being united by football.

As tournament director for Euro 2024 I witnessed the Scots firsthand. They quickly won over German hearts with lasting friendships formed across both nations. My local club FT Gern shares these bonds and my daughter treasures a pin gifted by a Scottish supporter.

Questions about major events always bring to mind the 2006 World Cup. My prior response focused on its career-defining role and Germany's fresh global openness. Encounters with Scottish fans later showed me that visitors take center stage.

Scotland's involvement proves fortunate. They missed out after 1998 under the old 32-team setup. This alone supports expansion to 48 teams despite criticism. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin recently questioned the quality drop while 13 non-European nations including 2022 semifinalist Morocco protested in an open letter.

Ceferin's remarks highlight Europe's distinct interests from global football. The continent senses rising competition and seeks to protect its position. Fifa's goal remains developing the game worldwide through broader involvement even if quality gaps persist.

Only Egypt from Africa joined the first eight World Cups in 1934. African sides boycotted the 1966 event in England amid decolonization over Fifa's refusal to assure direct qualification spots.

Football ranks as the top sport across more than half the globe with growing appeal. This tournament yields inspiring tales from every region. DR Congo earned a draw with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal while debutants Cape Verde matched that against Spain and Uruguay. Central Asia features for the first time as Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro celebrated with scorer Abbosbek Fayzullaev after their equalizer versus Colombia.

Lionel Messi Kylian Mbappe Harry Kane and Erling Haaland share early attention with underdogs before reclaiming the focus. The round-of-32 format makes the group phase resemble a cup first round which traditionalists accept yet some resist at the World Cup level.

Fifa pursues valid aims including necessary revenue growth as any local club understands from hosting events.

Critiques should target real issues such as ticket pricing where Fifa faces accusations of inflating demand figures for profit. The idea of a biennial World Cup also concerns me since proper preparation and legacy require time.

The expanded Club World Cup adds further pressure to an overloaded schedule with extra weeks and harsh conditions increasing demands on players beyond reasonable limits.

Most troubling are Gianni Infantino's connections to influential figures like Donald Trump which commercialize the World Cup and erode trust. Fans struggle to separate Fifa from the tournament itself.

Football follows clear rules and reaches a universal audience drawing unmatched global focus for a month. It offers the ideal platform for discussing shared human values yet risks influence from questionable interests.

A robust Europe and Uefa are essential to counter this. Ceferin rightly plans affordable tickets for Euro 2028 along with accessible lodging and transport so football stays open to all.

The key remains the 2006 motto Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden which captured my experiences in South Africa and Brazil. This spirit must return for future events.

Philipp Lahm's column was produced in partnership with Oliver Fritsch at the German online magazine Die Zeit.