The original FIFA World Cup Trophy has arrived in India as part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, marking its first visit to the country in 12 years ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
As the exclusive partner of the Trophy Tour, Coca-Cola continues its long-standing association with football by bringing one of the world’s most iconic sporting symbols closer to fans across India.
The Indian leg of the tour began with a FIFA charter landing, followed by the official unveiling of the Trophy at the Taj Mahal Hotel on Man Singh Road in New Delhi. The ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, former Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva, sports historian and author Boria Majumdar, and senior Coca-Cola executives including Sanket Ray, President of Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia; Greishma Singh, Vice President of Marketing; and Devyani Rana, Vice President for Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola is one of the longest-running partnerships in global sport, with FIFA and Coca-Cola working together for more than 50 years. During its worldwide journey, the Trophy will visit 30 FIFA member associations across 75 stops over more than 150 tour days.
The original FIFA World Cup Trophy is crafted from 18-carat solid gold, weighs 6.175 kg and depicts two human figures holding up the globe. Its current design has been in use since 1974.
In line with its community-focused approach, Coca-Cola India has also integrated its #MaidaanSaaf initiative into the tour. Through staffed recycling stations, trained volunteers and clear on-ground guidance, the programme promotes organised waste collection and segregation, supporting responsible waste management at large public events.
Mansukh Mandaviya said, “Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, sports has emerged as a national priority. We firmly believe that sports is a powerful instrument for nurturing discipline, confidence, and character, particularly among our youth. The FIFA World Cup™️ Trophy Tour resonates strongly with our aspiration to position India among the world’s top five sporting nations by 2047. As India advances on its journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047, sports will stand as a vital pillar of nation-building and youth empowerment.”
Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia president Sanket Ray added, “Sport in India is entering a defining phase, marked by wider participation, stronger infrastructure, and growing global engagement. This progress has been enabled by sustained government-led initiatives that are strengthening access, facilities, and local engagement across the country. Our long-standing partnership with FIFA enables us to bring such landmark sporting moments closer to Indian consumers.”
