Argentine Teen to Deliver Ball for World Cup Quarterfinal

A 13-year-old from La Plata, Argentina, will have the unique honor of bringing the official match ball onto the field for the World Cup 2026 quarterfinal between Argentina and Switzerland. Ezequiel Holsman, a young footballer from the Beto Ávalos academy, will fulfill a dream shared by many aspiring young athletes.

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He got a quarterfinal match, Argentina's bracket, but without knowing exactly which one.

Ezequiel's journey to this moment began with a FIFA-affiliated automotive sponsor's youth tournament in Los Angeles. He was one of seven Argentine boys selected to represent their country in the competition, which featured teams from various nations and had historical football figures as mentors. Juan Sebastián Verón served as the reference for the Argentine team.

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He will sing the anthem in front of the referees and then the match will begin.

Although his team finished third, the participants' conduct earned them a special reward: the chance to be part of the pre-match ceremony at a World Cup game. Ezequiel's family learned after the tournament that he would participate in a quarterfinal match involving Argentina, though the specific opponent was initially unknown.

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I don't think he'll be able to get a photo, but maybe he'll manage to shake Leo's or Dibu's hand.

Before the match, Ezequiel must adhere to a strict protocol, arriving at the stadium five to six hours early for a rehearsal. The most anticipated moment will be his presence in the tunnel alongside the players before they take the field. His father expressed hope that Ezequiel might even shake hands with stars like Lionel Messi or Emiliano Martínez, though he acknowledged a photo might be unlikely.

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We are filled with pride that he represents us in an experience he will remember for a lifetime. Enjoy it a lot, Keke! All of Beto is with you!