The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy arrived in Addis Ababa to an exciting welcome at the Bole International Airport accompanied by Coca-Cola and FIFA officials, as well as Juliano Belletti, a Brazillian football legend appointed by FIFA for the tour in Ethiopia.
The plane carrying the Trophy and the entourage touched down at Bole Airport at 10:45 am, making Ethiopia the first country in Africa to receive it in the African leg of the fifth FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour, which started in Dubai on May 12.
“This is a truly iconic moment, for Ethiopia and for Africa. This is the first stop in Africa on this Tropy Tour and therefore the first time the official FIFA World Trophy touches down on African soil for the 2022 global Trophy Tour that kicked off in Dubai on May 12th. Coca-Cola is thrilled to partner with FIFA to bring this moment to Ethiopia, and to offer our consumers, and football fans this exclusive opportunity to experience the real magic of the World Cup Trophy right here in Ethiopia,” said Ms Debra Mallowah, the Vice President Coca-Cola East & Central Africa Franchise.
Fans in Ethiopia will have an opportunity to experience the world’s most iconic football Trophy for two days during its sty in the country.
“We are indeed excited to welcome the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy to Ethiopia, it has been many months of intense planning. The trophy will be here for two days and we hope to make the best memories with it. We have lined up exciting activities including entertainment and fun tomorrow at Mesqel Square where consumers will have a moment to view and take photos with the trophy” Said Daryl Wilson, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa-Ethiopia,.
From the airport, the Trophy was presented to President Sahle-Work Zewde at the National Palace in Addis Ababa.
The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola kicked off on May 12 in Dubai, and will visit 51 countries across various continents for the next six months leading up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ Tournament in Qatar late this year.
Ethiopia is one of only 9 countries in Africa that will get to enjoy this moment, this 2022 season. From Ethiopia, the Tophy will head to Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania on this first leg of its tour of Africa and then resume its second leg of the Tour in September 2022.
For the first time ever, the Trophy will visit all 32 qualifying nations of this year’s World Cup.