FIFA world cup trophy arrives in Bangladesh today: how to watch

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most coveted symbol of world football—the original FIFA World Cup trophy—is arriving in Bangladesh today as part of the ongoing ‘FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour,’ giving football fans a chance to see it up close.

The trophy has previously visited Bangladesh in 2002, 2013, and 2022. This official pre-World Cup tour began in 2006 to showcase the trophy in different countries. The 2026 tour started on 3 January in Saudi Arabia, visiting multiple countries before reaching Bangladesh via India. This 150-day journey will conclude in Mexico, where the World Cup’s opening match is scheduled on 12 June.

Organized jointly by FIFA and global beverage giant Coca-Cola, the main aim of the tour is to provide fans the opportunity to see the authentic World Cup trophy. Over the past two decades, nearly 4 million people worldwide have witnessed the trophy firsthand.

Questions often arise about whether the displayed trophy is the real one. FIFA has confirmed that the trophy on tour is indeed the authentic FIFA World Cup trophy, made of pure gold and weighing 6.175 kilograms. While the winning team holds it during celebrations, they receive a gold-plated replica permanently.

During this specially organized tour, former World Cup winners nominated by FIFA accompany the trophy. In Bangladesh’s 2022 tour, French World Cup winner Christian Karembeu was present. This time, Brazil’s 2002 World Cup midfielder Gilberto Silva is accompanying the trophy. Earlier, Italian 2006 World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero attended the tour’s opening in Saudi Arabia.

This trophy tour will showcase the trophy at 75 venues across 30 countries, including Bangladesh, where it will only be displayed at Dhaka’s Radisson Blu Hotel. After visiting India, the trophy will travel to South Korea, then to Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Algeria, France, and finally conclude in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

The general public can view the trophy, but access is limited. Only winners selected through Coca-Cola’s ‘Under the Cap’ promotion campaign will get the chance to see and photograph the trophy. At 10 a.m. today, the trophy will be formally welcomed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. After 1 p.m., it will be displayed at Dhaka’s Radisson Blu Hotel, remaining open for visitors until the evening.

Visitors must follow certain rules to attend the exhibition. A valid ticket copy must be carried. Touching the trophy is strictly prohibited. Backpacks exceeding the allowed size, smoking, ticket transfer, or carrying sharp or prohibited items are not permitted. Additionally, flags of any country or football team are not allowed inside the exhibition area.