The organizers of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour announced on Tuesday that the prestigious golden trophy, which depicts two fingers supporting a globe, will arrive in Lahore on June 7 instead of Islamabad, which was originally slated to host it.
Four years on, Lahore will once again host the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Former FIFA World Cup winners Iker Casillas and Kaká came together in Dubai to send the original FIFA World Cup Trophy on its journey around the world ahead of the tournament later this year that will include all 32 qualifying countries for the first time.
A short news release announcing that the trophy will come to Lahore did not specifically state why the venue was being changed but it is understood that is due to the political uncertainty in the country.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup while remaining in FIFA’s possession. Made of solid gold and weighing 6.142 kg, the trophy depicts two human figures holding the globe aloft. Its current design dates back to 1974.
This is the fifth FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola and allows the Pakistani fans to see football’s most coveted prize up close, adding to the excitement and anticipation of football’s largest spectacle, the FIFA World Cup™.
Pakistan is one of the 51 countries that this year’s FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour will visit. Together with FIFA, Coca-Cola is aiming to visit all 211 FIFA member associations by 2030.
“Sports brings communities and nations together and at Coca-Cola, we are delighted to champion this spirit of unity,” said Fahad Ashraf, Vice President for Coca-Cola Pakistan Afghanistan.
FIFA World Cup winner and legendary footballer Christian Karembeu will again accompany the trophy as he did during the Pakistan leg of the Trophy Tour in 2018.