2022 FIFA WORLD CUP™ TROPHY TOUR BY COCA-COLA ARRIVES IN SAUDI ARABIA
The Original Trophy reaches its penultimate destination ahead of The FIFA World Cup™ 2022
18/11/2022
The FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy has reached Saudi Arabia, the penultimate destination of its global Tour, ahead of the FIFA World Cup™ 2022.
Organized in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Sports and Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), the two-day Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola started its coast-to-coast visit touching down in Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport. This was followed by visits to the iconic King Abdulaziz Sports City and Jeddah Corniche. The trophy then flew to Riyadh for a VIP event in At-Turaif, Diriyah after which thousands of fans experienced the Original Trophy at Granada Mall before heading to Dhahran for a VIP event as part of Tanween Talks at Ithra.
FIFA legend David Villa and the Original Trophy received a warm VIP welcome at the exclusive event in Diriyah where the Minister of Sport HRH Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, SAFF President Yasser Almisehal and General Secretary Ibrahim Alkassim, alongside eminent Saudi businesswoman, Lubna Olayan, Uwaidh Bin Khalaf Al Harethi CEO of Olayan Group and Tolga Cebe, Vice President & General Manager Middle East, The Coca‑Cola Company [insert any other key official names] came together to celebrate the real magic of the world’s largest, most anticipated sporting event – the 2022 FIFA World CupTM. Key anchors of Saudi Arabian Women's football Adwa Al Arifi and Lamia Bahaian also joined the event.
SAFF President Yasser Almisehal added: “We are delighted to welcome the Original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy to Saudi Arabia once again. Our country loves football, it is a passion that runs deep through every home and in every city and we’re proud of our Green Falcons. I know fans will be so excited to see the Original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy, we are honored to host and share in the magic of football’s most prestigious prize and thank FIFA and Coca‑Cola for their partnership.”
The events are part of the fifth FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola, which is visiting 51 countries and territories, bringing Coca‑Cola and FIFA one step closer to visiting all 211 Football Nations by 2030. For the first time ever, the tour visited all 32 FIFA World CupTM qualifying countries, inspiring fans across the world through exclusive consumer experiences.
Tolga Cebe, Vice President & General Manager 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 Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is passionate about football and we share the country’s excitement for the Green Falcons and their forthcoming FIFA World CupTM campaign. At Coca‑Cola, believing is magic and we are proud to have brought fans this once-in-a-lifetime experience to Saudi Arabia, alongside the Coca‑Cola FIFA Fan Festival Riyadh and through our digital promotions giving thousands of Saudi fans the chance to win match tickets to cheer their national team during the tournament. I would also like to thank the Ministry of Sports, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and Diriyah for their partnership.”
Coca‑Cola is inspiring football fans across Saudi Arabia to Believe in Magic through its exclusive partnership with the FIFA World CupTM by providing the opportunity for thousands of fans to win World Cup tickets to watch the Saudi Falcons take on Argentina, Poland and Mexico. In addition, Saudi fans can enjoy all the matches live at the Coca‑Cola FIFA Fan Festival Riyadh in Mrsool Park Stadium, which opens from 20 November. With a capacity of up to 5,000, this official FIFA Fan Festival will feature a huge state-of-art screen as well as a host of F+B options, activations, live performances and entertainment.
David Villa said: “It is such an honor to be here in Saudi Arabia as the FIFA World CupTM Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola reaches its penultimate destination, exciting and inspiring fans on its journey. Lifting the Original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy has the power to excite millions of fans and after witnessing Saudi Arabi’s passion for football first-hand, I know the Tour will continue to excite and engage fans across the region.”
The FIFA World CupTM Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola has begun and finished in the Middle East for the first time. It began its journey in the UAE on 12 May and then travelled across the globe and region before arriving in Saudi Arabia. The Trophy will then reach its final destination in the host country.
The Coca‑Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1976 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ 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