9-Year-old Soccer Enthusiast Receives Surprise World Cup Tickets
WHO:
Inquirer.com - Ben Snyder, a 9-year-old from Villanova, Pennsylvania.
Inquirer.com - Carrie Snyder, Ben's mother.
Inquirer.com - Meg Kane, host city executive and CEO for Philadelphia Soccer 2026.
6abc Philadelphia - Greg Snyder, Ben's father.
WHAT:
Inquirer.com - Ben Snyder's family received tickets to the World Cup game after Carrie Snyder sent a heartfelt email to the Philadelphia Soccer Host Committee, which was responded to positively.
Inquirer.com - Ben has been watching the FIFA World Cup daily, and his brother Will mentioned that Ben has a board set up in the family room with a bracket for the tournament.
Inquirer.com - Ben expressed his hope that the United States would perform well in the World Cup, stating, "I think they could definitely become a dominating team."
Inquirer.com - Ben Snyder received tickets to a World Cup game.
Inquirer.com - The game will feature France facing Paraguay.
6abc Philadelphia - Ben has been watching the FIFA World Cup daily.
6abc Philadelphia - Ben knows every World Cup winner dating back to 1930.
Inquirer.com - Ben expressed excitement, stating, "I'm shocked. I can't believe it."
6abc Philadelphia - Ben stated, "I'm very excited. I've never been to a World Cup game before."
WHERE:
Inquirer.com - The World Cup game will take place at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field).
6abc Philadelphia - The Snyders are from Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
WHEN:
Inquirer.com - The World Cup game is scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m.
6abc Philadelphia - The Snyders plan to watch the match during their July 4th holiday.
WHY:
Inquirer.com - Carrie Snyder reached out to the Philadelphia Soccer Host Committee to find a fan experience for Ben after he broke his arm.
Inquirer.com - Ben's love for soccer and the World Cup motivated his mother to seek help.
HOW:
Inquirer.com - Meg Kane, the host city executive and CEO for Philadelphia Soccer 2026, noted that the committee received a nice note asking for help to cheer Ben up, which led to the surprise ticket gift.
Inquirer.com - Carrie Snyder sent a heartfelt email to the Philadelphia Soccer Host Committee after Ben's surgery.
Inquirer.com - The Philadelphia Soccer Host Committee responded positively to Carrie’s request, leading to the surprise ticket gift.
(UPDATED July 3, 2026 21:19 UTC)
Ben Snyder's family received a wonderful surprise when they were gifted tickets to an upcoming World Cup game after his mother, Carrie Snyder, reached out to the Philadelphia Soccer Host Committee with a heartfelt email. Ben, who has been eagerly following the FIFA World Cup and even set up a tournament bracket in the family room, expressed his hopes for the United States to excel, saying, "I think they could definitely become a dominating team." Meg Kane, the CEO for Philadelphia Soccer 2026, shared that the committee was touched by the request to cheer Ben up, which inspired them to make this special gesture.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 19:25 UTC)
Ben Snyder, a 9-year-old from Villanova, Pennsylvania, is overjoyed after receiving tickets to a World Cup game where France will face Paraguay, an event he has been eagerly anticipating while watching the FIFA World Cup daily. His mother, Carrie Snyder, reached out to the Philadelphia Soccer Host Committee to create a special fan experience for Ben after he broke his arm, and their positive response led to this exciting surprise. The Snyders plan to enjoy the match at Philadelphia Stadium during their July 4th holiday, with Ben expressing his excitement by saying, "I'm shocked. I can't believe it."