2022 FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY TOUR™ BY COCA-COLA ARRIVES IN KUWAIT

FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy unveiled by FIFA Legend Gilberto Silva at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre

The FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy was unveiled in Kuwait City today for the first time ever, giving Kuwait fans the chance to experience football's most coveted prize, as the fifth FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola continues its journey to 51 countries and territories.

Sheikh Ahmad Al Yusuf Al Sabah, President, Kuwait Football Association, FIFA Ambassador Gilberto Silva together with Khalid Al Muzaire, CEO, Refreshment Trading Company (RTC); Coca‑Cola’s bottling partner in Kuwait, came together at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre 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 FIFA World Cup 2022™.  Also in attendance was Mr. Salah Eissa Al Qenaei, General Secretary of the Kuwait Football Association and international team player, Bader Al Mutawaa.

Khalid Al Muzaire said: “We are excited to help bring the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola to the State of Kuwait and to give fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy.  Like when in 1982, the Kuwait national team became the first from the Gulf to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, we hope this event will inspire a spirit of hope and optimism for a bright future for the youth of the country, who we at Coca‑Cola are keen to support.  We express our sincere thanks and gratitude to FIFA and the Kuwait Football Association for their partnership in making today’s event a success and we look forward to seeing the impact it has on everyone who is here today.”

Sheikh Ahmad Al Yusuf Al Sabah, President, Kuwait Football Association said: “In the world of sports, no symbol stands stronger than the FIFA World Cup Trophy™. It is an honor to host the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola in Kuwait - it provides an incredible opportunity for football and sports fans across Kuwait to experience this iconic symbol in person. This is the first time that FIFA World Cup Original Trophy™ arrives in our country and it will undoubtedly be source of inspiration for our existing and future football stars.”

Kuwait’s passion for football is well-known, and the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre was a fitting location to continue the global Tour. Coca‑Cola invited fans to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most iconic symbol in football and experience the Real Magic of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™. 

The FIFA World Cup^TM 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 ever, the tour will visit all 32 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying countries, inspiring fans across the world through exclusive consumer experiences.

Silva said: “I know first-hand how lifting the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy can excite millions of fans across the world.  It is an honor to be here in Kuwait and I’ve seen first-hand the passion for football across the Middle East.  With 51 stops across the world, I’ve no doubt the Tour by Coca‑Cola will inspire and engage an unprecedented number of fans and future rising stars from this region.”

As well as Kuwait, the Tour will make several debut stops across the Middle East, visiting UAE, Oman, Bahrain 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 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