A family’s dream has become reality after winning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the 2026 World Cup final. It started with a simple WhatsApp recommendation from a friend, which prompted Rifat Hysa, 52, and his wife Lenka, 44, to sign up their soccer-obsessed nine-year-old son, Max, for a pair of free McDonald's Fun Football sessions.
By registering, they were automatically entered into a prize draw—though they never expected it would punch their ticket to the biggest game on earth.
How a WhatsApp message changed everything
"A friend sent us a WhatsApp message and said, 'Just enter, it'll be fun,'" said Rifat. "We only did it because Max loves football. We wanted him to enjoy himself and improve. Winning never even crossed our minds."
When the life-changing phone call arrived, Rifat's initial reaction was disbelief.
"At first, I thought it couldn't be real…It was so hard to believe. It was only when the emails and phone calls started coming through that we realised we'd actually won. We just kept asking each other, 'Is this really happening?'"
Three generations to attend the final
The historic match will be an unforgettable, multi-generational family affair. Lenka’s father is making the journey all the way from Slovakia to join the group. As a devout football fan who has spent his entire life studying the tournament, collecting memorabilia, and dreaming of attending a match live, he will now get to live out that dream alongside his daughter and grandson.
"My dad has loved football for as long as I can remember," said Lenka. "He's followed every World Cup, collected books about the tournament and always dreamed of experiencing it in person. To be able to share that with his grandson makes it even more special."
For young Max, a passionate Chelsea fan, the trip is a ticket to the pinnacle of global sports. For his parents, it’s a priceless chance to watch three generations bond over a shared passion. And with England still fighting for a spot in the final, Rifat knows exactly what would be the ultimate icing on the cake.
"If England make the final, that would be incredible," he said. "But whatever happens, just being there together as a family is something we'll never forget."
