The FIFA World Cup trophy completed its 14-hour-long tour of Bangladesh on Wednesday as part of its global tour to 75 places across FIFA’s 30 member associations from January 3 to June 8, 2026.
The iconic trophy arrived on a special flight accompanied by 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva and landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 10:00am from India.
This marked the fourth occasion the trophy had visited Bangladesh, following its arrivals in 2002, 2013, and 2022, commemorating 20 years of the Trophy Tour organised by Coca-Cola.
The trophy was received by Bangladesh Football Federation president Tabith Awal, alongside Bangladesh national football team captain Jamal Bhuyan, BIDA chairman Ashik Chowdhury, and NBR chairman Abdur Rahman Khan, among others.
Silva unveiled the trophy at the airport, following a traditional Dhuli performance reflecting Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.
‘Honestly, the experience was amazing. Gilberto came with the World Cup trophy, so this was my first time seeing the World Cup trophy in person. I felt really good,’ said Jamal.
‘I actually thought the trophy was small, but it’s much bigger than it looks,’ said Jamal, who was curious about the trophy’s size and weight.
‘I also asked about the weight, and it’s almost seven kilograms of pure gold. The experience was very special, and I was a bit awe-struck,’ added Jamal, a fan of Brazilian football.
Silva shared his pleasure in accompanying the iconic trophy to Bangladesh.
‘It’s a great pleasure to be here in Bangladesh, my first time here. It’s a great. I think coming here to Bangladesh and bringing the original trophy, you know, of the World Cup, the iconic trophy, it’s something very inspiring,’ Silva said.
‘It keeps inspiring me. Until today, every time I have an opportunity to see the trophy and view it closely like we are now, it inspires me again to keep moving forward and enjoy football as much as I can,’ added the Brazilian legend.
Later, the trophy was escorted under tight security to the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden in Kurmitola, where it was exhibited to passionate football fans.
Thousands of Bangladeshi fans got the rare opportunity to view the most coveted footballing prize up close and take commemorative photographs. Beginning its journey in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 3, the trophy will conclude its tour in Mexico, just three days before the World Cup.
Following the conclusion of its tour in Bangladesh, the trophy departed for its next destination, South Korea, on Wednesday night.
