The original FIFA World Cup Trophy arrived in Cairo on Sunday, marking Egypt as the first African stop and the second destination worldwide on the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola.
The two-day event, held in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, offered thousands of Egyptian football enthusiasts a rare opportunity to see the sport’s most iconic prize in person. The tour serves as a prelude to the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be the largest in history, hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi emphasised that selecting Cairo as the inaugural African stop reflects Egypt’s growing influence in the international sports arena.
“Egypt’s selection… underscores the confidence international sports institutions place in us,” Sobhi stated. He noted that hosting the trophy aligns with the state’s vision to inspire youth and strengthen national identity through football, the country’s most popular sport.
This year’s tour is a landmark edition, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the partnership between FIFA and Coca-Cola for the trophy tour. Over the next several months, the trophy will visit 30 FIFA Member Associations across 75 stops globally.
“The FIFA World Cup Trophy is recognised around the world as the greatest symbol in sport,” said Romy Gai, FIFA’s Chief Business Officer. “Our partnership with Coca-Cola has united fans and brought them the magic of the tournament for two decades.”
The Cairo event featured a special appearance by Italian football legend and 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro.
“This visit is much more than showcasing a symbol of victory; it’s an homage to the unwavering passion, history, and talent of Egyptian fans,” Cannavaro remarked, noting the excitement surrounding the national team’s journey toward the 2026 tournament.
Hanna Haddad, General Manager of the Coca-Cola Company in Egypt and Sudan, added that the tour is a way to honour the “extraordinary passion” of the Egyptian public. Beyond the celebration, the tour also serves as a platform for sustainability, with Coca-Cola implementing local packaging collection and recycling initiatives at tour stops.
