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It was a video about how soccer helped helped his family cope with his brother’s cancer that got Aidric Yeon-Woo Oh of Ottawa picked to carry the match ball at Toronto Stadium.
On Tuesday, Aidric walked onto the pitch before the Croatia vs. Panama match in Toronto, presenting the official match ball to referee Pierre Atcho.
The journey to that walk-on moment in the world’s largest sporting event began last year, when Aidric’s younger brother Senoch was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, Gregory Oh, their father, told Ottawa Morning.
“Senoch was staying at the hospital all the time and Aidric couldn’t visit him as much as he can. Because of the cancer treatment, Senoch’s immune system has been had been compromised,” Gregory said.
“Soccer has been the only connection between those two.”
Visiting the hospital to see Senoch was not always an easy task, Aidric explained in a two-minute submission video.
WATCH | Aidric Yeon-Woo Oh explains how soccer helped him cope with his brother’s cancer:
“When I heard he had to stay in the hospital I didn’t understand everything, I just knew it was serious and it made me scared inside,” he said.
During visits, the two would watch soccer videos together, and Senoch would roll a tiny ball in his bed.
LISTEN | Aidric and Gregory’s interview on Ottawa Morning:
Ottawa Morning6:07Barrhaven boy picked as an Official Match Carrier for the FIFA World Cup 2026
Aidric Yeon-Woo Oh led the pre-game ceremony for the match between Croatia and Panama on June 23. We caught up with Aidric aka Yeonny and his dad Gregory Oh the morning after.
That submission video led to Aidric’s selection as one of 13 children in Canada to be a match ball carrier, during which he caught a glimpse of his favourite player, Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić.
“He made an eye contact with him,” Gregory said.
Senoch’s illness put pressure on the family, Gregory said. But Senoch is now happy, healthy, and in remission.
“He can’t run as fast yet, but we can kick the ball outside again. We take it slow, but that’s OK. Every kick he sends back to me makes me proud,” Aidric said in his video.
Senoch was also well enough to be in the stands when Aidric brought the ball out, which prompted some feelings of jealousy, Gregory joked.
As for the tournament, both father and son said they are rooting for Team Canada.
“I hope they at least make it to the core final and if they make it, I hope they can make it to the cup,” Aidric said.