The prestigious FIFA World Cup Trophy, the ultimate symbol of international football, is set to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow for a one-day display. The trophy began its global tour on 3 January under the guidance of Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero. Representing FIFA during the Bangladesh leg of the tour will be Gilberto Silva, the defensive midfielder of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad.
This is the fourth occasion the trophy has visited Bangladesh, allowing local football enthusiasts the rare opportunity to view and photograph the iconic golden cup up close. Previous visits have drawn significant public attention, reflecting the growing popularity of football in the country.
The tour is part of a worldwide initiative organised by soft drink giant Coca-Cola, taking the trophy to 30 FIFA member nations. During this 150-day global journey, the trophy will be showcased at 75 different locations, giving fans across continents a chance to experience it firsthand. Between 15 November last year and 8 January, Coca-Cola held an interactive promotional campaign, ‘Under the Cap’, in which winners from the public were granted exclusive access to view the trophy in person.
In Dhaka, the trophy reception ceremony will take place at Shahjalal International Airport at 10:00 am, followed by its transfer to the Radisson Blu Hotel at 1:00 pm, where it will remain on display until the evening. After the event, the trophy will depart Bangladesh to continue its global journey. Visitors must present a valid ticket—in print, digital, or screenshot form—and bring the accompanying verification cap to gain entry.
Organisers have stipulated several rules to ensure the trophy’s safety:
Direct contact with the trophy is strictly prohibited. Only FIFA officials, national heads of state, and World Cup winners may touch it.
Backpacks larger than 7/10 inches are not allowed.
Smoking, sharp objects, or any prohibited items are banned.
Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be reused.
Flags representing countries or football teams are not permitted.
| Location | Time | Key Guidelines | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shahjalal International Airport | 10:00 am | Trophy reception, ticket verification | Limited access |
| Radisson Blu Hotel, Dhaka | 1:00 pm – Evening | Photo opportunities, no touching | Only campaign winners |
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will officially kick off on 11 June at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. For the first time in history, 48 teams will compete in the tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The World Cup Trophy Tour will conclude on the opening day of the tournament in Mexico.