2022 FIFA WORLD CUP™ TROPHY TOUR BY COCA-COLA KICKS-OFF GLOBAL JOURNEY IN DUBAI
Original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy unveiled at Dubai’s Coca‑Cola Arena before it embarks on its fifth journey, travelling to 51 countries and territories
12/05/2022
The FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy was unveiled in Dubai today, as it embarks on its fifth FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola giving UAE fans the chance to experience football's most coveted prize.
Former FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká were joined by the UAE Football Association’s General Secretary, His Excellency Mohammed Hazzam Al Dhaheri; Nouf Al Anzi the UAE’s women’s football team captain; Ali Saleh, UAE Men’s National team captain; alongside Brad Ross, VP Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing and Partnerships; and Claudia Navarro, VP of Marketing Eurasia & Middle East, Tolga Cebe, Vice President and General Manager, Coca‑Cola Middle East, who came together at the Coca‑Cola Arena for a special VIP press event to reveal the most prized Trophy in the world and celebrate the real magic of the world’s largest, most anticipated sporting event – the 2022 FIFA World CupTM.
Claudia Navarro, VP Marketing Eurasia & Middle East, The Coca‑Cola Company said: “We are delighted to bring the energy and excitement of the world's most loved football tournament to Dubai. For the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola will start and conclude in the Middle East. At Coca‑Cola, believing is magic and we are proud to bring fans this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I would also like to thank FIFA and the UAE Football Association for their partnership.”
The UAE’s passion for football is well-known, and Dubai’s iconic Coca‑Cola Arena was a fitting location to kick-off the first-stop event. Coca‑Cola invited fans to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most recognized symbol in football and experience the Real Magic of the world’s largest and most anticipated single-sport event – the FIFA World Cup™. Over 2,000 fans from across the UAE are expected at the Coca‑Cola Arena, including nearly 200 youth players from the UAE Football Federation Training centers and schools.
UAE Football Association General Secretary, His Excellency Mohammed Hazzam Al Dhaheri said: “"We are honored to begin the highly anticipated FIFA World CupTM Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola in Dubai and celebrate this iconic symbol as it embarks upon its journey around the world. The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy is one of the most recognized sports symbols in the world and represents football excellence for the participating national teams over the last four years. The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola unites nations and brings everyone together to feel a collective sense of awe when they see this most prized Trophy.
“It's a pleasure to bring the world together at the Coca‑Cola Arena in Dubai, that has hosted various notable and world-class events. We are especially proud that Dubai was chosen as the first stop – the UAE will always remain a host and partner to all of sports, in particular football. We happily welcome the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola to Dubai and assure that the UAE FA will provide all the support needed to make it one of the best tours to date."
The FIFA World CupTM Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola will visit 51 countries and territories, bringing Coca‑Cola and FIFA one step closer to visiting all 211 Football Nations by 2030. For the first time, the tour will visit all 32 FIFA World CupTM qualifying countries, inspiring fans across the world through exclusive consumer experiences.
“As football fans around the world gear up to support their teams, Coca‑Cola is thrilled to offer fans the opportunity to experience the trophy ahead of the tournament,” said Brad Ross, Vice President of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing and Partnerships at The Coca‑Cola Company. “The real magic of the FIFA World Cup™ exists with fans believing in their teams and showcasing their passion for the game.”
FIFA World CupTM winners Iker Casillas and Kaká shared their passion for the game at the first-stop event in Dubai.
Kaká said: “It is an incredible honour to be part of the first stop of the FIFA World CupTM Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola. My first FIFA World CupTM as a player was when I was just 20 years old, and it is still fresh in my mind – for me, it was a dream come true.”
Added Iker Casillas: “It was the highlight of my career when I lifted this very trophy as captain of Spain in 2010. And it is exciting that someone will have that feeling in Qatar later this year. It fills me with great pride to join all of you today, as we kick off the journey of the FIFA World CupTM Trophy, bringing it to the fans across the globe.”
As well as the UAE, the Tour will make several debut stops across the Middle East, visiting Oman Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon. The Tour will visit Saudi Arabia as the penultimate destination, before reaching the host country Qatar.
The Coca‑Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1976 and has been an official FIFA World Cup™ Sponsor since 1978. Coca‑Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup™ since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels.
Get involved by posting your own FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour™ memories by using the hashtag #BelievingIsMagic