From New Hampshire to the World Stage

A FIFA World Cup Moment Two Nashua Students Will Never Forget

July 13, 2026

For most soccer fans, walking onto the field before a FIFA World Cup match is something they’ll only ever imagine.

For Gavin Suchecki and Max Wilkinson, members of the Special Olympics New Hampshire family, that dream became reality.

Thanks to longtime partner Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Gavin and Max were selected to serve as Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup 2026™ Flag Bearers, taking part in one of the tournament’s most iconic pre-match traditions before a quarterfinal match in Boston.

The experience brought them behind the scenes of one of the world’s biggest sporting events. They explored the stadium, met fellow flag bearers from across the region, stood just feet away from world-class athletes, and proudly carried their flags onto the field as tens of thousands of fans looked on.

For Gavin, one moment stood above the rest.

“I enjoyed the part where we all stood on the field during the national anthems, holding our flags as the players walked through us,” he shared. “Then we got to see the fireworks up close. It was truly an awesome experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Max agreed.

“My favorite part of the day was marching out onto the field with all the other kids,” he said. “It was fun and cool, and I felt special holding the flag.”

While the experience itself was unforgettable, both reflected on what it meant to represent the Special Olympics New Hampshire community on such a global stage.

“I felt honored,” Gavin said. “I really want to thank Coca-Cola for everything they did for us, and Sean Malone for selecting Max and me for this amazing experience.”

“It was an honor to do it,” Max added.

Sean Malone, who accompanied the group as chaperone, saw something even bigger than the moment on the field.

“I was so impressed with the confidence that everyone showed,” he said. “All twelve flag bearers came together so quickly, supported each other, and truly became a team.”

Having known Gavin for several years, Sean reflected on how opportunities like this showcase the leadership skills developed through Special Olympics.

“Watching Gavin’s growth as a leader has been really meaningful. He immediately stepped up and helped the day run smoothly. Max is newer to our program, but he was perfect for this role. He made friends with everyone right away, helping everyone feel comfortable while setting a great example through his professionalism and positive attitude.”

Those qualities didn’t happen overnight. Through sport, athletes and Unified partners build confidence, communication skills, teamwork, and leadership. Experiences like serving as FIFA World Cup Flag Bearers are an opportunity to put those skills into action on one of the biggest stages in sports.

For Sean, that’s what made the day truly special.

“Visibility is important, but what really matters is that opportunities like this show the flag bearers, and everyone watching, that they are capable of things they may have never dreamed of. Only Gavin and Max walked onto the field [representing NH], but so many others saw their example and now know they can strive to do hard things too.”

Special Olympics New Hampshire extends its sincere thanks to Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast for creating unforgettable opportunities like this one. Their continued partnership helps open doors for athletes and Unified partners to build confidence, develop as leaders, and experience moments that will last a lifetime.