Watch: Youngster reduced to tears when he discovers he’s going to the World Cup

When Neil Griffiths booked a trip to Qatar to watch Wales at the World Cup, he conveniently forgot to tell his 11-year-old son Cai.

However, he had a very good reason. He was planning to make a memory his football mad lad would remember forever.

He was going to surprise him with the best present ever.

When Neil ordered his son the new Panini World Cup album, he slipped a note inside informing him he was going to the World Cup.

The youngster’s reaction is absolutely wonderful and we can safely say this is one of the best things we have ever seen.

Massive hug

In the video, Cai can be seen with a box containing his Panini package, when he opens it up and spots the note, he can’t quite believe it. Laughter quickly turns to tears, as he repeats the words, ‘Really? Really?’

When his dad confirms its real, Cai gets up to give him a massive hug.

Neil wrote on Twitter: “We hid a note telling him we were taking him to watch Wales in Qatar in his Panini sticker book. His reaction was priceless and I’ll never forget it.”

In a post on Facebook, he added: “I don’t care if it costs more than I really have to spend

“I actually don’t care if Wales don’t win a match whilst we’re there.

“Getting to have moments like this, and spend 10 days in Qatar with Cai supporting Wales at a World Cup is priceless.

“I’m glad he was appreciative and got as emotional as me!”

Speaking to Nation Cymru, Neil explained how the plan unfolded.

“I’ve followed Wales for more years than I care to remember, and took Cai to his first Game (Wales v Israel in the Euro 2016 qualifiers) when he was 4. He has been mesmerised ever since. We haven’t missed a home game (Covid excluding) since, he went to Euro 2016 aged 5, we had various tickets for Euro 2020 (including tickets for the semi final and final – which we lost due to COVID), and we’ve been away a few times – inc the long trip to Baku! Cai also loves playing – and is a member of the Barry Town Academy team.

“On the way to the Wales v Ukraine game, Cai kept saying ‘I cant believe grandad was two the last time Wales were at a World Cup”. We were both in tears at the end of the Ukraine game, and I knew I had to do everything I could to make Qatar happen.

“We were lucky enough to get group stage tickets, but Liz and I knew that we had to find a special and memorable way to surprise him.

“Cai was just starting High school, and it was a big and new step for him, so we promised him a small surprise on the weekend as we appreciated how brave he had been in settling in to new surroundings, new teachers and new timetables with much more need for independence

“We were a little worried, as we’ve been to quite a few away games before – including Baku, that he would take it for granted and not appreciate how big a moment this is. Thankfully, he didn’t and it was beautiful to see how grateful, excited and appreciative he was.”

We hid a note telling him we were taking him to watch @FAWales in Qatar in his @OfficialPanini sticker book. His reaction was priceless and I’ll never forget it x 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 pic.twitter.com/HX4VBZFb8j

— Neil Griffiths (@N_Griffiths9) September 18, 2022