A family from West London is set to experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the World Cup final after their nine-year-old son won a prize through McDonald's Fun Football. Rifat Hysa, 52, from Twickenham, will travel to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey with his family after his son Max won return flights for four, accommodation, and $2,000 in spending money.
Dad initially dismissed winning email as scam
Rifat was so shocked when he first received the winning email that he 'didn't pay too much attention,' believing it to be a scam. He told MyLondon: 'I was taking it one step at a time, I didn't tell anyone at the beginning other than my wife.' After a few days, he confirmed the email was legitimate and the reality began to sink in.
Max won the prize through a McDonald's Fun Football session at Orleans Park School in Twickenham earlier this year. Unlike other young participants, he came home with the grand prize. Some final tickets have reportedly sold for up to £1.7 million each.
Family 'over the moon' about once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
'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,' Rifat said.
The prize covers all expenses except transport from the airport to the 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 added.
Dad backs England to win trophy
Rifat hopes Thomas Tuchel's England side will reach the final and bring home the trophy. 'You have to believe that if they do go to final, I'm hoping they're going to come home with trophy,' he said.
His favourite match of the tournament so far was the exciting Argentina vs Cape Verde game, which the reigning champions won in extra time. 'It was a crazy game,' he said, praising goalkeeper Vozinha's performance. 'For a country that size, what they did was brilliant.'
