The iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy, which began its global tour on 3 January under the stewardship of legendary footballer Alessandro Del Piero, is set to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow for a one-day exhibition. Representing FIFA on this occasion will be Gilberto Silva, the defensive midfielder of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad. The trophy has visited Bangladesh three times previously, and, as before, football enthusiasts in the country will have the rare opportunity to view the golden cup up close and take photographs.
This exhibition forms part of a 150-day global tour organised by beverage company Coca-Cola, spanning 30 FIFA member countries and stopping at 75 locations worldwide to bring the trophy closer to fans. The company had also conducted an interactive “Under the Cap” promotion from 15 November last year to 8 January this year, where winners were selected to gain exclusive access to the trophy. Only these winners will be permitted to see the trophy up close during the Dhaka stop.
The schedule for the Dhaka exhibition is as follows:
| Time | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | Trophy Reception | Shahjalal International Airport |
| 1:30 PM | Trophy Display & Photo Opportunity | Radisson Blu Hotel, Dhaka |
| Evening | Trophy Departure | Dhaka |
Attendees must comply with several rules issued by the organisers:
No touching the trophy under any circumstances; only World Cup-winning players, heads of state, or the FIFA president may handle it.
Backpacks larger than 7/10 inches are not allowed.
Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the venue.
Tickets cannot be transferred or reused.
Sharp or prohibited items are forbidden.
Flags of countries or football teams are not allowed.
Winners must present a valid ticket (print, soft copy, or screenshot) along with the Coca-Cola cap for verification.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will officially kick off on 11 June at Mexico’s Azteca Stadium, where the global tour of the trophy will conclude. This tournament, hosted jointly by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, will feature 48 teams for the first time, marking a historic expansion of football’s premier competition.
The visit of the FIFA World Cup Trophy is expected to be a memorable and historic moment for Bangladesh’s football fans, providing them with an extraordinary opportunity to witness the pinnacle of the sport up close before the start of the global football extravaganza.