Ben Waine discusses how reaching the World Cup feels after setbacks and earlier uncertainty about his career. In comments reported by Sky Sports, Waine says that, before making it to the tournament, he was not long ago left out of the Port Vale squad, making a place at a World Cup seem “very far away.” He frames the competition as a collection of individual journeys, noting that players each have personal stories behind their selection for the tournament. Waine refers to Gianni Infantino’s description of the World Cup as “104 Super Bowls,” highlighting the scale of the event. Against that backdrop, he suggests the tournament creates an opportunity for him and other players to make decisive impacts for their teams. The overall message is that Waine’s path to the tournament has involved overcoming disappointment, and he now sees the World Cup as a chance to perform on the biggest stage for New Zealand. The reports focus on his background and mindset rather than match-specific details.