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- Pakistan is one of the 51 countries that the FIFA World Cup trophy will tour this year
- Made of 6.142kg gold, the trophy depicts two human figures holding the globe aloft
ISLAMABAD: The Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup trophy arrived in Pakistan’s cultural heart of Lahore on Tuesday, Pakistani media reported, ahead of the mega sports event in Qatar in November this year.
FIFA World Cup winner and legendary defender Christian Karembeu accompanied the trophy, providing fans in the South Asian nation with an opportunity to see the iconic goldware.
Pakistan is one of the 51 countries that the FIFA World Cup trophy will tour this year. The trophy will stay in Pakistan for one day.
“For the first time ever, the tour will visit all 32 countries that qualified for the FIFA World Cup, inspiring fans across the world through exclusive consumer experiences,” said a statement on the FIFA website.
Former French soccer player Christian Karembeu reveals the Qatar FIFA World Cup trophy during the Trophy Tour event, in Lahore, Pakistan, on June 7, 2022. (AP)
After a welcome ceremony at the Lahore airport on Tuesday, there was an event planned for stakeholders and sponsors in the afternoon and a public concert later in the evening, SAMAA TV reported.
This is the second visit of the FIFA World Cup trophy to Pakistan, according to the report. The country was also a destination for the trophy tour before the 2018 World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour kicked off on May 12 with a first-stop event in Dubai, where former FIFA World Cup winners Iker Casillas and Ricardo Kaka came together to send the original FIFA World Cup trophy on its journey around the world.
Made of solid gold and weighing 6.142 kilograms, the trophy depicts two human figures holding the globe aloft. Its current design dates back to 1974.
“The FIFA World Cup Trophy is one of the greatest symbols in sport,” said Romy Gai, FIFA’s chief business officer.
Former French soccer player Christian Karembeu reveals the Qatar FIFA World Cup trophy during the Trophy Tour event, in Lahore, Pakistan, on June 7, 2022 (AP)
Gai said bringing the trophy on tour gave FIFA a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the fantastic communities around the world who loved the sport.