Cristiano Ronaldo made history by scoring in his sixth World Cup, and his performance helped make the Portugal vs. Uzbekistan match unforgettable for veteran Mark Garcia, who attended with free tickets from Vet Tix. Bank of America donated $2 million and Vet Tix provided $250,000 to fund nearly 5,000 tickets for service members, veterans and first responders across 11 U.S. host cities. Veterans reported emotional reunions and meaningful experiences, and Vet Tix says about 80% of tickets went to military personnel and veterans.
Veterans Enjoy Free World Cup Seats as Ronaldo Makes History
U.S. Army veteran Mark Garcia and his wife, Billie, attend a Portugal-Uzbekistan World Cup match on June 23, 2026. / Credit: Mark Garcia
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo made history by becoming the first player to score in six World Cup tournaments — a milestone that also capped an unforgettable night for Mark Garcia, a veteran who attended the Portugal vs. Uzbekistan match with free tickets provided by Vet Tix.
Vet Tix, Sponsors Open Stadium Doors
For this summer’s World Cup, Bank of America pledged $2 million and Vet Tix contributed an additional $250,000, enabling nearly 5,000 complimentary tickets for current military service members, veterans and first responders across the tournament’s 11 U.S. host cities. Organizers also set aside roughly 250 tickets for each U.S. Men’s national team match as part of America’s 250th anniversary observances.
A Vet Tix spokesperson told CBS News that about 80% of the distributed tickets went to active service members and veterans, while approximately 20% were allocated to first responders.
Personal Moments and Reunions
Mark Garcia, who served in the U.S. Army from 1991 to 1997 and was deployed to Bosnia, said he spent much of the Portugal match in tears. Garcia — whose parents are from Faial in the Azores and who had never attended a match in person until this event — described the experience as deeply meaningful.
Army veteran Peter Farley attends an Iraq-Norway World Cup match on June 16, 2026, with an interpreter he met during a deployment to Iraq. / Credit: Peter Farley
"The game yesterday was amazing, pretty much, more than anybody can describe into words how amazing it was and how important it was to me," Garcia told CBS News.
Garcia, a Vet Tix member for nearly 13 years, praised the organization for providing access to games and concerts that he and many other veterans might not otherwise be able to afford. He said attending events with other veterans adds a layer of comfort: "A lot of times when they play the national anthem... I can kind of look around and see who the veterans are. And it's pretty cool to kind of be with them and spend that time with them."
Another veteran, Army veteran Peter Farley, used Vet Tix to secure seats for the Iraq vs. Norway match at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Farley invited an interpreter he served with in Baghdad in 2008–2009, describing the reunion as a "full‑circle moment." Although Iraq lost 4-1, Farley called the match one of the best sporting events he has attended.
"It has been years since we've seen each other, and I honestly never imagined we'd one day be sitting side-by-side at a World Cup game in the United States," Farley wrote in an email to Vet Tix.
Why It Matters
Programs like Vet Tix — supported by corporate donations and community partners — help veterans reconnect with family and community life by creating low-cost opportunities to attend major events. For many recipients, these outings provide emotional relief and positive shared experiences after difficult deployments or personal trauma.
Key Facts: Bank of America: $2 million; Vet Tix contribution: $250,000; nearly 5,000 tickets distributed across 11 U.S. host cities; roughly 80% of tickets to service members and veterans, 20% to first responders.
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