FIFA World Cup Trophy arrives in Seoul for showcase
Gilberto Silva, former Brazil midfielder and FIFA's global ambassador, holds up the FIFA World Cup Trophy as he arrives at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul, Friday. Joint Press Corps
The iconic championship trophy for the FIFA World Cup made its stop in Seoul on Friday as part of the global tour prior to the upcoming tournament.
Organized by Coca-Cola, the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour began its two-day visit to the Korean capital at CGV Yongsan IPark Mall. Following its unveiling for the media Friday, the trophy will be open to public viewing Saturday.
The first trophy tour took place in 2006, and its previous stops in Korea had come in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022.
Gilberto Silva, FIFA's global ambassador and a member of the 2002 World Cup-winning Brazilian team, brought the trophy from Bangladesh on a special chartered flight. At Friday's showcase, the former midfielder was joined by Korean football greats Cha Bum-kun, Cha Duri, Lee Young-pyo and Koo Ja-cheol.
From left, former Korean football player Cha Duri, retired Brazilian star Gilberto Silva, ex-Korean players Cha Bum-kun and Lee Young-pyo unveil the FIFA World Cup Trophy inside a private jet at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul, Friday. Joint Press Corps
On Saturday, the trophy will be open for public viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at CGV Yongsan IPark Mall. All visitors will receive a World Cup Trophy keyring as a souvenir.
This year's trophy tour started in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Jan. 3. The trophy will visit 30 FIFA member nations across 75 stops and more than 150 tour days.
Per FIFA rules, only former champions and heads of state may touch the original trophy.
The trophy is awarded to the champions of the World Cup but remains in FIFA's possession. The winning team retains the authentic trophy temporarily and is later awarded the tournament edition trophy, called the Winner's Trophy, for permanent possession.
From left, former Korean football player Cha Duri, retired Brazilian star Gilberto Silva, ex-Korean players Cha Bum-kun and Lee Young-pyo pose next to the FIFA World Cup Trophy inside a private jet at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul, Friday, after Silva traveled from Bangladesh with the trophy during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour. Joint Press Corps
The authentic trophy is made of solid gold, depicting two human figures holding the globe aloft. The tournament edition is gold-plated, and the year of the given tournament, along with the names of the host country and the champion, will be engraved on it.
The 2026 World Cup will feature a record 48 nations, up from 32, with the United States, Canada and Mexico serving as co-hosts from June 11 to July 19.
Korea, coached by Hong Myung-bo, will make their 11th consecutive World Cup appearance and their 12th overall. They have been drawn into Group A with Mexico, South Africa and a European playoff winner to be determined in March. All three group matches for Korea will be played in Mexico.