What's the score with watching Scotland in the World Cup?

Scotland fans have been celebrating a winning return to the World Cup stage after almost three decades.

The first match against Haiti - where the men's team secured a crucial 1-0 victory - took place in the early hours of Sunday in Boston.

Tens of thousands of public sector workers got the day off on Monday to mark the occasion, and schools in some areas were also closed.

Pubs, clubs and fan zones have been given special licences to open late during all the group stage matches.

All Scotland's group stage games are being shown on free-to-air TV channels.

The Haiti game, which kicked off at 02:00 BST on Sunday, was shown live on the BBC and is available on the iPlayer.

The second game against Morocco on Friday 19 June at 23:00 BST will be shown on ITV and STV.

And the final group game against Brazil will be on BBC channels at 23:00 on Wednesday 24 June.

A decision on who covers Scotland's games if they reach the later stages of the competition will be taken after the group matches.

Generally, the answer is yes.

Almost all of Scotland's councils, who approve extensions to licensing rules, have confirmed that pubs and clubs will be allowed to stay open to show the games despite them often continuing beyond normal closing times.

Some of the councils have stipulated pubs must close half an hour after the final whistle in order to ensure that drinking does not continue after the game.

East Ayrshire Council said there was no blanket extension for all pubs but it has approved licences for many that applied to stay open.

North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Councils also said extensions were considered on a case-by-case basis.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the Western Isles is also taking this approach.

Falkirk Council approved applications for extensions on an individual pub basis for the Haiti game, but there is a general extension for the other two games - which begin at 23:00.

There are few fan zones but across Scotland many large venues will be showing the games.

In Glasgow, the OVO Hydro, Saint Luke's and SWG3 will all be televising the matches on large screens. These events, and similar ones across Scotland, require tickets to be purchased in advance.

In Aberdeen, the city's Beach Ballroom will host a World Cup fan zone and in Forfar the Reid Hall showed Scotland's opening game against Haiti.

In Fife, the Ice Arena in Kirkcaldy has been transformed into a World Cup fan zone and in Edinburgh, the Gyle Shopping Centre will show all three of Scotland's group games on a large screen.

In Dundee, LiveHouse will be transformed into a huge indoor fan zone with a capacity of 4,500 people.

In Falkirk, a fan zone will be held at Falkirk Stadium, with space for more than 600 fans.

Inverness Leisure centre will also show all three of Scotland's group games.

The TRNSMT festival in Glasgow has been granted a special licence to show the Morocco game at 23:00 on Friday 19 June, after the bands have finished.

Scotland booked its place in the 2026 World Cup after an extraordinary 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden in November.

Just weeks later, First Minister John Swinney said Monday 15 June - the day after Scotland's first game, which finished at about 04:00 - should be designated as a national bank holiday.

There is no law requiring businesses, such as banks, to close on bank holidays and it was left to firms and other organisations outside the public sector to decide if their staff should have it.

Just five of Scotland's 32 councils gave staff the public holiday - Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire. All the schools in those areas were closed as well as other council services.

North Ayrshire had initially approved the day off, but three councillors called in the decision saying it would cost the council more than £1m in lost productivity.

All of Scotland's health boards approved 15 June as a day off.

That means a total of 237,200 public sector workers were entitled to take the holiday - 74,000 council workers and 163,200 NHS workers.

Joining them were about 16,650 people who work for the Scottish government.

Local authorities that rejected the holiday would strongly argue they were not being party poopers but were acting responsibility.

Many pointed out it would have meant additional costs at a time when they were having to make unpopular cuts to services.

Highland councillors said giving the day off could cost the local authority an estimated £150,000.

They agreed to reject the proposal after arguing the holiday could have an impact on essential services such as bin collections and schools.

City of Edinburgh Council also rejected the one-day break.

The local authority cited concerns over an estimated £350,000 cost for the holiday.

A report to Inverclyde Council suggested financial implications would be about £72,000, with an additional £9,000 then going towards free school meal holiday payments for eligible carers.

It added that "while not a direct cost" the productivity losses would amount to £610,000.

The Federation of Small Businesses Scotland said employers had tried to be as flexible as possible with time off.

Jubilation as Scotland fans celebrate first World Cup win in 36 years

World Cup 2026: Scotland top their group after beating Haiti in 'must-win game'

What does 1-0 win mean for Scotland's chances of qualification?

Why Haiti v Scotland was antidote to the ills of world football