West London Family Scores World Cup Final Tickets After Dad Almost Dismisses Email as a Scam

A family from Twickenham is experiencing the thrill of a lifetime as they prepare to attend the World Cup final. Rifat Hysa, 52, is set to travel to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey after his nine-year-old son, Max, emerged victorious in a competition run by McDonald’s Fun Football. This remarkable opportunity arose when Max participated in a football session at Orleans Park School earlier this year. Unlike his peers, Max returned home with return flights for four to New York, accommodation, and a generous $2,000 in spending money.

A Dream Come True

The competition has seen final tickets soaring in price, with some reportedly selling for as much as £1.7 million each. Initially, Rifat was taken aback by the winning email, so much so that he dismissed it as a potential scam. “I was taking it one step at a time; I didn’t tell anyone at the beginning other than my wife,” he shared. However, after a few days of contemplation, Rifat became convinced that the email was genuine, and the reality of attending the World Cup final began to sink in. “It’s hard to explain, but when I found out it’s real, I was still daydreaming. We are all over the moon to be honest; we can’t wait to get going, to get on a plane and then see everything. It’s amazing. We’ve never been there; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he expressed with palpable excitement.

Support from McDonald’s

Rifat noted that McDonald’s will cover nearly all expenses, aside from the transport from the airport to their hotel and from the hotel to the stadium. “It can’t get any cheaper; it’s crazy. I’m sure Max will pass these memories down the generations,” he remarked, reflecting on the significance of this experience for his family.

Hopes for the Final

In an interview, Rifat conveyed his hopes for Thomas Tuchel’s team, expressing a desire for them to triumph in the final. “You have to believe that if they do get to the final, I’m hoping they’re going to come home with the trophy,” he stated enthusiastically. He also mentioned that his favourite match of the tournament thus far was the thrilling encounter between Argentina and Cape Verde, which concluded with a nail-biting victory for the reigning champions in extra time. “It was a crazy game,” Rifat said, commending goalkeeper Vozinha for his outstanding performance. “For a country that size, what they did was brilliant,” he added, highlighting the impressive display of skill and determination.

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