A 12‑year‑old boy from Arizona, Andres Lopez Pacheco, will step into the stands of MetLife Stadium next week for his first World Cup match, a moment made possible by the nonprofit Make‑A‑Wish Arizona.
A Wish on the World Stage
Andres lives with a complex congenital heart condition that has required four open‑heart surgeries, yet he finds energy and hope in the rhythm of soccer, even though he cannot compete on the field.
The wish was celebrated in Scottsdale, where the boy received World Cup‑themed gifts and custom jerseys, turning a personal milestone into a vivid reminder of his resilience.
His mother, Elizabeth, described the occasion as a mixture of surprise and joy, noting how far her son has come after years of medical challenges.
The upcoming fixture will pit Panama against England in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Andres has already shared his prediction that England will emerge victorious, a testament to his love for the sport.
Make‑A‑Wish Arizona marked the event as its 9,000th granted wish, underscoring the organization’s growing impact, while the boy’s favorite teams, Portugal and Mexico, remain on his list of inspirations.