Philadelphia surprises a 9-year-old soccer player with July 4 World Cup tickets
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Philadelphia officials surprised a local family with tickets to the FIFA World Cup match on July 4 at Philadelphia Stadium, honoring a 9-year-old travel soccer player recovering from emergency surgery after suffering a severe broken arm.
Ben Snyder, an avid youth soccer player and FIFA fan, was presented with the tickets during a surprise event at the FIFA Fan Festival on Wednesday. The injury happened the night before summer break, leaving him unable to play the sport he loves or take part in many summer activities while his arm heals.
Ben said he was stunned by the gift and excited to attend his first World Cup match.
His mother, Carrie Snyder, said she knew the weeks after the surgery would be difficult because Ben is used to being active. She hoped something connected to soccer could lift his spirits during his recovery, never imagining it would be tickets to one of the tournament’s biggest matches.
Published
Associated Press, Associated Press