Parents to Watch Sons Play for Rival Nations at World Cup

Jack and Heather Souttar are preparing to travel to the United States to watch their sons compete in the FIFA Women's World Cup — but they will be cheering for different teams. Their son, Harry Souttar, plays for Scotland, while another son, John Souttar, represents Australia.

Family Divided by National Allegiance

The Souttar family embodies the global nature of modern football. Harry, a defender, has been called up to the Scottish national team, while John, also a defender, plays for the Australian side, known as the Socceroos. The brothers' dual nationalities stem from their parents' backgrounds: Jack is Scottish, and Heather is Australian.

Supporting Both Sides

Despite the potential for conflict, Jack and Heather have embraced the situation. “We’ll be cheering for both,” Heather said in an interview. “It’s a unique experience, but we’re proud of both boys.” The couple plans to attend matches in the USA, where the World Cup is being hosted, and will wear neutral colors to avoid showing favoritism.

Brothers' Football Journey

Harry and John have both built careers in professional football. Harry plays for Stoke City in the English Championship, while John is a key player for Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. Their simultaneous selection for different national teams highlights the increasing diversity of player backgrounds in international football.

The World Cup, which runs from July 20 to August 20, 2023, will see Scotland and Australia face off in Group B. The match between the two teams is scheduled for July 25 in Sydney, a game that will test the Souttars' family loyalty.