Ferguson had reportedly worn the rare kilt since February, during a walk across the United States to raise money for mental-health services in Scotland and support the national team’s return to the World Cup after 28 years.
He said the garment was one of only two in existence. It also carried the unmistakable marks of its journey: a visible tear, pinholes from stars and other decorations, and heavily worn fabric from constant use.
For Ferguson, this was not simply a missing item of clothing. It had become part of his identity throughout a demanding, highly visible trip.
The kilt was reportedly inside a white suitcase last seen at New York’s 175th Street station, on the platform for A trains heading towards Penn Station. Ferguson said the bag disappeared while his mother was panicking and trying to navigate the city.
He offered one immediate reassurance: “Ela está bem, que é o principal”, meaning his mother was safe. The missing kilt, however, appears harder to recover.
“Eu basicamente já me despedi dela na minha cabeça, mas agora meu kilt pertence aos Estados Unidos,” Ferguson said. His only remaining hope is that the attention around the story might help a New Yorker find and return it.
The lost garment has overshadowed the football only briefly. Scotland’s next match is against Morocco at the Boston Stadium, giving Ferguson and fellow supporters another occasion to rally behind the team.
Whether the kilt resurfaces or not, its disappearance has already become an unlikely part of Scotland’s World Cup story - a reminder that football memories are often made far beyond the final whistle.