A nine‑year‑old soccer fan from Delaware County, Ben Snyder, received an unexpected invitation to a FIFA World Cup match in Philadelphia after his mother’s email caught the attention of the local organizing committee.
Ben has been following every World Cup champion since 1930, but a broken arm forced him to miss his soccer camp and left him watching the tournament from the sidelines.
His mother, Carrie Snyder, reached out to the Philadelphia Soccer 2026 Host Committee, hoping for a small gesture of goodwill.
A Surprise Ticket to the World Cup
Meg Kane, the host city executive and CEO of the committee, replied promptly, offering Ben and his brothers seats at the France‑Paraguay game scheduled for later this summer.
The youngster’s excitement was palpable as he imagined his first World Cup appearance, a dream that seemed to materialize after months of disappointment.
The Snyder family will gather in South Philadelphia to watch the match together, turning a personal setback into a shared celebration of the sport.
Kane also asked the family to share a photo of their July 4th experience, adding a personal touch to the story.