World Cup Dream Becomes Reality for Pathfinders Participants

Published on June 30, 2026

By Cynthia Lemus, Office of Communication

For Jonathan, the phone call brought news he never imagined he would receive.

After completing Pathfinders' Pathways to Success program and working to rebuild his life, he learned he and his two sons would be attending the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between Australia and Egypt on Friday, July 3, at 1 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. It will be the first time he's ever stepped inside the stadium.

"Thank you so much. I still can't believe how much of a difference Pathfinders has made in my life," Jonathan said. "I've never even been inside that stadium, and I'm excited to have this memory made with my kids too!"

Jonathan is one of 15 Pathfinders participants selected to attend the match after the nonprofit received complimentary tickets through the North Texas Sports Foundation's Community Ticket Program.

One of the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation's nonprofit grantees, Pathfinders learned about the opportunity through the foundation, which encouraged its grantees to apply. The organization submitted an application highlighting the impact of its mentoring, financial coaching, veterans program, and reentry programs. After reviewing applications from nonprofits across North Texas, the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee selected Pathfinders as one of the recipients.

When Director of Development Missi Cowart opened the email announcing the selection, the first words she read were: "Congratulations! Your application truly moved us."

Another family celebrating the opportunity is Brenda and Edgar, who will attend the match with their 5-year-old son. Since enrolling in Pathfinders' Financial Freedom Journey program in October 2025, the couple has reduced approximately $18,000 in debt to just $1,000 by working with financial coach Maricela Jimenez and following the debt snowball method.

"Attending the World Cup will be a meaningful lifelong memory for their son," Jimenez said. "Beyond the excitement of the event itself, it will create a special family memory and provide an opportunity to experience together a global event that celebrates culture, connection and community."

When Maricela called to share the news, Brenda and Edgar put her on speakerphone so their son could hear.

"Our son is jumping up and down with joy!" they told her.

The group also includes participants from Pathfinders' Veterans Program, which provides mentoring, career guidance and financial coaching to help veterans successfully transition to civilian life.

For Pathfinders, the opportunity is about much more than attending a soccer match.

"Attending the World Cup is a dream many of the families we serve have, but few think it could ever be a reality," Cowart said. "With the World Cup being in our backyard, ticket donations will be life-changing for the families we serve. For the first time, their dreams are within reach. They have worked hard to reach financial stability, and this is an amazing way to show them how appreciative we are of the work they've put in."

Pathfinders hopes to make the experience even more memorable by providing each participating family with a gift card for food and beverages inside the stadium. The nonprofit is accepting donations through its donation page to help make that possible.

For these Pathfinders participants, the tickets represent much more than admission to a soccer match. They represent hope, perseverance and the power of a community investing in people.