Excitement is building across Canada as the prestigious World Cup Trophy is set to embark on a nationwide tour ahead of this summer’s highly anticipated soccer extravaganza.
Starting on April 9 and spanning until May 26, the iconic trophy will journey through major cities including Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, and Toronto. This tour is part of the build-up to the 48-team tournament, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour commenced on January 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and has since traveled to various locations worldwide. The coveted trophy, first introduced in 1974, replaced the historic Jules Rimet Trophy, which had been awarded since the inaugural tournament in 1930.
Crafted from 18-karat solid gold, the current trophy stands at 14.5 inches and weighs 13.6 pounds, featuring a base adorned with two semi-precious green malachite bands. Engraved at the bottom are the names of teams that have triumphed in the World Cup since 1974.
Previously, winning nations were granted the opportunity to display the cup in their trophy cabinets before it was returned to FIFA. However, this practice changed in 2006, with the original cup now solely presented to the winning team during the official ceremony, while a replica is provided for the country to retain.
Sponsored by Coca-Cola, the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour offers a unique chance for fans to catch a glimpse of football history. Free tickets, though limited, can be secured by registering on the Coca-Cola website starting Thursday at 10 a.m. ET.
