The iconic FIFA World Cup trophy made a stop in Seoul on January 16 as part of its global tour ahead of the 2026 tournament. Organized by Coca-Cola, the two-day visit began with a media unveiling at CGV Yongsan IPark Mall, featuring Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva and South Korean football legends. The public can view the trophy the following day.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, sponsored by Coca-Cola, reached Seoul on Friday, January 16, marking one of its stops in a journey visiting 30 FIFA member nations across 75 locations and over 150 days. The tour, which began in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 3, aims to build excitement for the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Gilberto Silva, a FIFA global ambassador and member of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning team, transported the trophy from Bangladesh via a special chartered flight. At the unveiling event, he was accompanied by South Korean football icons Cha Bum-kun, Cha Duri, Lee Young-pyo, and Koo Ja-cheol. This marks the trophy's fifth visit to South Korea since the tour's inception in 2006, with previous stops in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022.
On Saturday, the trophy will be available for public viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at CGV Yongsan IPark Mall, where visitors will receive a World Cup Trophy keyring as a souvenir. According to FIFA rules, only former champions and heads of state may touch the original solid gold trophy, which depicts two human figures holding the globe. The winning team receives a temporary authentic version but keeps a permanent gold-plated edition engraved with the tournament details.
South Korea, under coach Hong Myung-bo, is set for its 12th World Cup appearance, drawn in Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and a European playoff winner to be decided in March. All of South Korea's group matches will take place in Mexico, in the expanded 48-team format.
