Chance for football fans to get a glimpse of 2022 WC trophy in Nairobi

Though Harambee Stars will not be playing at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar later in the year, Kenyans will have a rare opportunity to get a glimpse of the famous Fifa World Cup trophy today and tomorrow in Nairobi.

Football’s greatest prize, the 6.1 kilogram 18-karat gold original World Cup trophy, will land in the country today for a two-day tour courtesy of Fifa and Coca-Cola.

The trophy will be accompanied by Brazilian legend Juliano Haus Belletti.

The former Villarreal, Chelsea and Barcelona defender was part of the star-studded Brazilian squad that won the 2002 World Cup finals co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

As one of the most recognised sports symbols in the world and a priceless icon, the original Fifa World Cup trophy can only be touched and held by a very select group of people, which includes former World Cup winners and sitting heads of state.

This means, President Uhuru Kenyatta is the only Kenyan who will be allowed to touch the trophy when it arrives in the country today morning.

The global tour of the most revered sports gong started on May 5 in Dubai, Qatar, the hosts of this year’s World Cup finals between November 21 and December 18, is expected to cover 22 countries between May and June, four of which are in Africa.

And 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.

The African leg of the tour kicked off in Ethiopia this week where the trophy was on display on Tuesday and yesterday.

After the Kenyan tour, the trophy will leave for South Africa where football fans will get to view it on May 28-30. It will then go to Tanzania on May 31-June 1.

The plane carrying the trophy which is expected to land at the JKIA today morning (11am) will be received by various government and the Coca-Cola officials.

The trophy will then head to State House where it will be officially received by President Uhuru who will then hoist it on behalf of Kenyans.

Tomorrow, Coca-Cola will host a consumer and public viewing of the trophy at KICC all day with invited guests and the public getting a chance to see the trophy and take photos with it.