A devoted soccer enthusiast invested £22,000 in a dream journey to the World Cup but couldn’t manage to secure tickets for England matches. Ben Laing, aiming to create lasting memories for his two sons, found the prices for Three Lions games to be excessively high. As a compromise, they will attend five matches involving various nations, sparking excitement in Alfie and James. Alfie, aged 12, even received permission to leave school early for the tournament in the United States.
Ben, a 50-year-old scaffold product manager from Liverpool, expressed that despite the significant cost, around £22,000, covering match tickets, hotels, and flights, the experience will be unforgettable for his boys. The family has already embarked on an educational journey, exploring historical landmarks like the Rosa Parks statue in Dallas, where they coincidentally witnessed the Japanese team bus passing by.
Despite considering purchasing England tickets, Ben found them prohibitively expensive. Instead, they will attend five other World Cup matches, including Algeria vs. Argentina in Kansas City and South Africa vs. Czech Republic in Atlanta. The itinerary also includes games in Dallas, Kansas, and Toronto, where Ben’s wife Denise will join them for two matches.
The family, avid Liverpool supporters, had the privilege of witnessing Liverpool’s Premier League victory in 2025 from the Kop. Alfie, a fan of Morgan Rogers, and James, who admires Jude Bellingham, are thrilled about attending five games. England is set to commence their tournament in Dallas against Croatia before proceeding to Boston and New York. The opening game is expected to attract over 20,000 England fans, primarily ex-pats residing in Dallas or traveling from other parts of the United States.
