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Fifa world cup™ trophy tour by coca-cola kicks off global journey in dubai.

FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká send original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy on global journey that will include all 32 qualifying countries for the first time

Original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy unveiled at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena before it embarks on its fifth journey, travelling to 51 countries and territories

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola kicked off today with a first-stop event in Dubai, where former FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká came together to send the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy on its journey around the world ahead of the tournament later this year.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220512005313/en/

Iker Casillas and Kaká at the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola First Stop Event in Dubai. Photo Credit: Getty Images

“As football fans around the world gear up to support their teams, Coca-Cola is thrilled to offer fans the opportunity to experience the trophy ahead of the tournament,” said Brad Ross, Vice President of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing and Partnerships at The Coca-Cola Company. “The real magic of the FIFA World Cup exists with fans believing in their teams and showcasing their passion for the game.”

Starting today, Coca-Cola is inviting fans to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most recognised symbol in football and experience the real magic of the world’s largest and most anticipated single-sport event – the FIFA World Cup™.

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will stop in 51 countries and territories, bringing Coca-Cola and FIFA one step closer to the goal of visiting each of FIFA’s 211 member associations by 2030. 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 FIFA World Cup Trophy is one of the greatest symbols in sport,” said Romy Gai, FIFA’s Chief Business Officer. “Bringing it on tour gives us a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the fantastic communities around the world who love the beautiful game. The trophy tour – which will end back in Qatar, our amazing hosts – highlights our commitment to making football truly global as we realise the dreams of our fans and bring the joy and excitement of the FIFA World Cup to their doorsteps, together with our long-standing partner Coca-Cola.”

FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká shared their passion for the game at the first-stop event in Dubai.

Kaká said: “It is an incredible honour to be part of the first stop of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. My first FIFA World Cup as a player was when I was just 20 years old, and it is still fresh in my mind – for me, it was a dream come true.”

Added Iker Casillas: “It was the highlight of my career when I lifted this very trophy as captain of Spain in 2010. And it is exciting that someone will have that feeling in Qatar later this year. It fills me with great pride to join all of you today, as we kick off the journey of the FIFA World Cup Trophy, bringing it to the fans across the globe.”

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola has a mission to support the development of sustainability efforts at each location visited by the tour. For the first time, consumer activations will be digitally led by Coca-Cola, reducing waste at each stop on the tour and minimising the consumption of water, energy, materials and other resources.

The Coca-Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1976 and has been an official FIFA World Cup™ Sponsor since 1978. Coca-Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup™ since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels.

About the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup™ while remaining in FIFA’s possession. Made of solid gold and weighing 6.142kg, the trophy depicts two human figures holding the globe aloft. Its current design dates back to 1974. 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 winners of the FIFA World Cup™ and heads of state. Because regulations state that the original trophy must remain in FIFA’s possession and cannot be won outright, the team winning the FIFA World Cup™ retains the authentic trophy temporarily and is then permanently awarded the tournament edition trophy, the FIFA World Cup™ Winner’s Trophy (which is gold-plated, rather than solid gold, and engraved with the year, host country and winners of the respective event).

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola is an extraordinary opportunity for people to take in a piece of football history and share their passion for the sport with each other. The emotions of seeing the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy will stay in football fans’ memories forever.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and LinkedIn .

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220512005313/en/

Alison Glenn [email protected]

Source: The Coca-Cola Company

Released May 12, 2022

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FIFA World Cup™️ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola Kicks Off Global Journey in Dubai

FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká send original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy on global journey that will include all 32 qualifying countries for the first time

Original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy unveiled at Dubai’s Coca‑Cola Arena before it embarks on its fifth journey, travelling to 51 countries and territories

DUBAI, May 12, 2022 – The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola kicked off today with a first-stop event in Dubai, where former FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká came together to send the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy on its journey around the world ahead of the tournament later this year.

“As football fans around the world gear up to support their teams, Coca‑Cola is thrilled to offer fans the opportunity to experience the trophy ahead of the tournament,” said Brad Ross, Vice President of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing and Partnerships at The Coca‑Cola Company. “The real magic of the FIFA World Cup exists with fans believing in their teams and showcasing their passion for the game.”

Starting today, Coca‑Cola is inviting fans to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most recognised symbol in football and experience the real magic of the world’s largest and most anticipated single-sport event – the FIFA World Cup™. 

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola will stop in 51 countries and territories, bringing Coca‑Cola and FIFA one step closer to the goal of visiting each of FIFA’s 211 member associations by 2030. 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 FIFA World Cup Trophy is one of the greatest symbols in sport,” said Romy Gai, FIFA’s Chief Business Officer. “Bringing it on tour gives us a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the fantastic communities around the world who love the beautiful game. The trophy tour – which will end back in Qatar, our amazing hosts – highlights our commitment to making football truly global as we realise the dreams of our fans and bring the joy and excitement of the FIFA World Cup to their doorsteps, together with our long-standing partner Coca‑Cola.”

FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká shared their passion for the game at the first stop event in Dubai. 

Kaká said: “It is an incredible honour to be part of the first stop of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola. My first FIFA World Cup as a player was when I was just 20 years old, and it is still fresh in my mind – for me, it was a dream come true.” 

Added Iker Casillas: “It was the highlight of my career when I lifted this very trophy as captain of Spain in 2010. And it is exciting that someone will have that feeling in Qatar later this year. It fills me with great pride to join all of you today, as we kick off the journey of the FIFA World Cup Trophy, bringing it to the fans across the globe.”

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola has a mission to support the development of sustainability efforts at each location visited by the tour. For the first time, consumer activations will be digitally led by Coca‑Cola, reducing waste at each stop on the tour and minimising the consumption of water, energy, materials and other resources. 

The Coca‑Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1976 and has been an official FIFA World Cup™ Sponsor since 1978.  Coca‑Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup™ since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels.

About the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup™ while remaining in FIFA’s possession. Made of solid gold and weighing 6.142kg, the trophy depicts two human figures holding the globe aloft. Its current design dates back to 1974. 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 winners of the FIFA World Cup™ and heads of state. Because regulations state that the original trophy must remain in FIFA’s possession and cannot be won outright, the team winning the FIFA World Cup™ retains the authentic trophy temporarily and is then permanently awarded the tournament edition trophy, the FIFA World Cup™ Winner’s Trophy (which is gold-plated, rather than solid gold, and engraved with the year, host country and winners of the respective event).

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola is an extraordinary opportunity for people to take in a piece of football history and share their passion for the sport with each other. The emotions of seeing the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy will stay in football fans’ memories forever.

About The Coca‑Cola Company

The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca‑Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, SmartWater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at  www.coca-colacompany.com  and follow us on  Twitter ,  Instagram ,  Facebook  and  LinkedIn .

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2022 FIFA WORLD CUP™ TROPHY TOUR BY COCA-COLA CONCLUDED IN QATAR

Fifa world cup™ original trophy unveiled in qatar by marcel desailly.

The FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy yesterday reached the final destination of its global Tour yesterday ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ which kicks off next week.

As the fifth FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola came to its conclusion, FIFA and Coca‑Cola staged several events, beginning with an unveil of the FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy at Hamad International Airport in Doha.

The reveal marked two days of events including a grass roots football coaching session at the Aspire Academy with Marcel Desailly, a VIP event at the Alwadi Hotel and a special event with over 4,000 FIFA World Cup™ volunteers.

Marcel Desailly revealed the one-and-only, solid-gold Original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy alongside Nazli Berberoglu, FIFA World Cup General Manager at The Coca‑Cola Company at the Alwadi Hotel. It is the same trophy presented by FIFA to the team winning the FIFA World Cup™.

Over the course of 2022, the Original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy travelled to 51 countries and territories, bringing Coca‑Cola and FIFA one step closer to visiting all FIFA’s 211 Member Associations by 2030. For the first time, the tour visited all 32 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying countries, inspiring fans across the world through exclusive consumer experiences.

Nazli Berberoglu, FIFA World Cup General Manager at The Coca‑Cola Company said: “At Coca‑Cola, believing is magic and we are proud to have brought fans this once-in-a-lifetime experience across the world. With the the FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy reaching its final destination, it kick-starts two days of events, where we’ll give Qatar football fans an opportunity to see the most iconic symbol in football. For the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola started and finished in the Middle East, celebrating the region’s first ever FIFA World Cup™.”

The 2022 FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola saw over 100,000 fans from across the world get the chance to experience football's most coveted prize. From the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Wembley Stadium London to the Maracana Stadium Brazil to Saudi Arabia’s iconic At-Turaif District in ad-Diriyah and the Coca‑Cola Arena in Dubai; the Original Trophy visited 12 markets for the very first time this year, with 16 FIFA World Cup winning Legends participating through the Tour.

As the FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy was revealed at Hamad International Airport, Marcel Desailly said: “It is such an honor to be here in Qatar as the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola reaches its final destination, exciting and inspiring fans on its journey. Lifting the Original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy has the power to excite millions of fans and after witnessing Qatar’s passion for football first-hand, I know the two-day Tour will continue to excite and engage fans in Qatar.”

The Coca‑Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1976 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ since 1978. Coca‑Cola has advertised at every FIFA World Cup™ stadium since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels. This is the fifth time that Coca‑Cola and FIFA have come together to bring the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola to the world.

Get involved by posting your own FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour™ memories by using the hashtag #BelievingIsMagic

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--( BUSINESS WIRE )--The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola kicked off today with a first-stop event in Dubai, where former FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká came together to send the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy on its journey around the world ahead of the tournament later this year.

“As football fans around the world gear up to support their teams, Coca-Cola is thrilled to offer fans the opportunity to experience the trophy ahead of the tournament,” said Brad Ross, Vice President of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing and Partnerships at The Coca-Cola Company. “The real magic of the FIFA World Cup exists with fans believing in their teams and showcasing their passion for the game.”

Starting today, Coca-Cola is inviting fans to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most recognised symbol in football and experience the real magic of the world’s largest and most anticipated single-sport event – the FIFA World Cup™.

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will stop in 51 countries and territories, bringing Coca-Cola and FIFA one step closer to the goal of visiting each of FIFA’s 211 member associations by 2030. 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 FIFA World Cup Trophy is one of the greatest symbols in sport,” said Romy Gai, FIFA’s Chief Business Officer. “Bringing it on tour gives us a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the fantastic communities around the world who love the beautiful game. The trophy tour – which will end back in Qatar, our amazing hosts – highlights our commitment to making football truly global as we realise the dreams of our fans and bring the joy and excitement of the FIFA World Cup to their doorsteps, together with our long-standing partner Coca-Cola.”

FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká shared their passion for the game at the first-stop event in Dubai.

Kaká said: “It is an incredible honour to be part of the first stop of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. My first FIFA World Cup as a player was when I was just 20 years old, and it is still fresh in my mind – for me, it was a dream come true.”

Added Iker Casillas: “It was the highlight of my career when I lifted this very trophy as captain of Spain in 2010. And it is exciting that someone will have that feeling in Qatar later this year. It fills me with great pride to join all of you today, as we kick off the journey of the FIFA World Cup Trophy, bringing it to the fans across the globe.”

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola has a mission to support the development of sustainability efforts at each location visited by the tour. For the first time, consumer activations will be digitally led by Coca-Cola, reducing waste at each stop on the tour and minimising the consumption of water, energy, materials and other resources.

The Coca-Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1976 and has been an official FIFA World Cup™ Sponsor since 1978. Coca-Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup™ since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels.

About the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup™ while remaining in FIFA’s possession. Made of solid gold and weighing 6.142kg, the trophy depicts two human figures holding the globe aloft. Its current design dates back to 1974. 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 winners of the FIFA World Cup™ and heads of state. Because regulations state that the original trophy must remain in FIFA’s possession and cannot be won outright, the team winning the FIFA World Cup™ retains the authentic trophy temporarily and is then permanently awarded the tournament edition trophy, the FIFA World Cup™ Winner’s Trophy (which is gold-plated, rather than solid gold, and engraved with the year, host country and winners of the respective event).

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola is an extraordinary opportunity for people to take in a piece of football history and share their passion for the sport with each other. The emotions of seeing the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy will stay in football fans’ memories forever.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Alison Glenn [email protected]

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FIFA World Cup trophy: Lost and found - history and evolution of the most coveted prize in football

There have been two iterations of the trophy. The old one, called the Jules Rimet Trophy, was in place from 1930 to 1970 while the current one took its place in 1974.

Awarded to the winners of World Cups held once every four years, the FIFA World Cup trophy is undoubtedly the most coveted title in world football .

The FIFA World Cup trophy, since its inception, has been the object of desire for every football-playing nation in the world, more than 200 of them currently, and their epic struggles on the field to win it has produced some memorable moments.

But being one of the most recognisable sporting symbols in the globe and consequently, the high value associated with it has also brought its fair share of unwanted attention to the iconic piece of silverware. This has made the FIFA World Cup trophy the centrepiece of some intriguing plots off the field as well.

FIFA World Cup trophy iterations

Over the years, there have been two different iterations or designs of the football World Cup trophy .

The Jules Rimet Trophy was the first iteration. It was used from 1930 to 1970. Brazil won it outright courtesy of becoming the first country in the history of the competition to become three-time champions (1958, 1962 and 1970).

A redesigned trophy, called the FIFA World Cup trophy, is the one used today and has been handed to the winners every four years, starting 1974.

Jules Rimet Trophy: 1930-1970

The journey of the FIFA World Cup trophy started with Jules Rimet, the third president of world football governing body FIFA. He laid down the plans for a football World Cup in 1928 and subsequently passed a vote the following year to hold the first edition in Uruguay in 1930.

The task of designing a trophy for the competition was commissioned to Abel Lafleur, a French sculptor who would later go on to compete in art competitions held during the Los Angeles 1932 Olympics.

Lafleur’s design featured a gold statuette of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, holding up an octagonal Cup over her head. She had a garland around her neck.

It was inspired by the Nike of Samothrace statue, an incomplete yet iconic Greek statue from the Hellenistic era which is on display at Paris’ Louvre museum.

The trophy, originally dubbed Victory and commonly called the Coupe du Monde (French for World Cup), was 35cm in height and weighed 3.8kg. It was constructed with gold-plated sterling silver and it had a blue base made of semi-precious stone called lapis lazuli.

There were gold plates attached to each of the four sides of the base, on which the winning countries’ names were engraved after each edition.

In 1946, it was renamed the Jules Rimet Trophy in honour of the erstwhile FIFA president’s 25th anniversary in office.

The trophy was taken to Uruguay aboard the Conte Verde, an Italian passenger ship which ferried Rimet, along with the national teams of France, Romania and Belgium to Montevideo for the maiden football World Cup.

Uruguay became the inaugural champions and kept the trophy in 1930 but Italy took it back to Europe in 1934 and kept it by defending their title in 1938.

Hidden in a shoebox

Concerns about the safety of the Jules Rimet Trophy during World War II led to an unlikely destination for the much coveted prize for the duration of the conflict.

Ottorino Barassi, an Italian who was serving as the FIFA vice-president at the time, quietly removed the trophy from the vault of a bank in Rome and hid it in a shoebox under his bed during the entirety of the War.

The trophy stayed safe under Barassi’s bed until the World Cup returned after WWII in 1950 in Brazil. Barassi, who was integral to Italy hosting the 1938 edition, also spearheaded the operations for hosting the 1950 edition.

In 1954, the old base of the Jules Rimet Trophy was replaced with a taller one to accommodate names of more winners.

Stolen in England

Though the Jules Rimet Trophy survived the World War unscathed, it nearly disappeared after being stolen ahead of the 1966 World Cup in England - the first time the tournament was being held at football’s spiritual home.

Four months before the World Cup was set to kick off, the Jules Rimet Trophy was on exhibition at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster as part of the Sport with Stamps Stanley Gibbons Stampex rare stamp exhibition.

On March 20, 1966, the trophy disappeared from its display cabinet while a Sunday church service was being conducted in another part of the building. The thief reportedly never touched rare stamps, estimated to have been worth over three million Pounds at the time, and fled with just the trophy, which at the time was valued at 30,000 Pounds.

While the law enforcement agencies, including Scotland Yard, scrambled to recover the Jules Rimet Trophy, Joe Mears, the chairman of Football Association (FA) and London club Chelsea FC, received a ransom note from an individual claiming to be ‘Jackson’.

Jackson demanded 15,000 Pounds for the return of the trophy and included a removable lining from the top of the trophy as proof of possession. The handover was scheduled in front of Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s home stadium.

What ensued seemed right out of a crime thriller.

After luring Jackson with fake money and scraps of paper, an undercover detective posing as Mears’ assistant tried to have him lead them to the stolen trophy. But Jackson realised something was wrong and tried to escape by jumping off a moving car.

Jackson was finally arrested after a dramatic pursuit and was revealed to be Edward Betchley, a petty thief with prior records. However, upon being interrogated Betchley claimed he didn’t steal the trophy and was only acting as a middleman for an elusive individual he referred to as ‘The Pole’.

Betchley was sentenced to two years of jail but the police could never track down ‘The Pole.’ The trophy, too, remained in the wind.

Pickles the dog to the rescue

While a nationwide hunt for the Jules Rimet Trophy continued, David Corbett, a Thames lighterman (barge operator), was out on a walk with his dog Pickles, a black and white collie, in the Beulah Hill district of southeast London. It was also a Sunday, exactly one week after the original theft.

As Corbett stopped at a telephone booth to make a phone call, the four-year-old canine sniffed out a package wrapped with newspapers and strings under one of Corbett’s neighbour's cars.

Corbett was initially sceptical and thought it might be a bomb but eventually succumbed to his curiosity and unwrapped the package.

“I picked it up and tore some paper and saw a woman holding a dish over her head, and disks with the words Germany, Uruguay, Brazil. I rushed inside to my wife. She was one of those anti-sport wives. But I said, ‘I've found the World Cup! I've found the World Cup!’” Corbett recalled his reaction to the Guardian years later.

Corbett eventually went on to hand the trophy over to the local police station and was detained for a while on suspicion that he might have been involved in the theft. He, however, had an alibi and got the clean chit.

Both Corbett and Pickles, whom the bargeman had adopted from his brother as a pup because he ‘chewed on furniture a little too much’, became national heroes.

Pickles, who had gotten England out of a serious mess, went on to become a big celebrity and eventually a TV star.

Thanks to the duo, particularly Mr Pickles, England captain Bobby Moore got to hoist the original Jules Rimet Trophy at London’s Wembley Stadium as England won the World Cup on home soil after beating Germany in the final.

It remains the Three Lions’ only World Cup win to date and Queen Elizabeth II herself presented the trophy to Sir Bobby Moore.

Pickles, along with Corbett, were also invited to the England team’s celebration banquet after winning the trophy.

Brazil secure and lose the Jules Rimet Trophy

After Brazil won the World Cup for the third time in 1970, they were awarded the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently as it was stipulated that the first team to win the Cup thrice would get to keep the trophy perpetually.

The original trophy, however, was stolen for a second time in 1983 from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

The original Jules Rimet Trophy was never recovered and it was claimed that it had been melted down into gold bars.

The CBF commissioned a replica trophy back in 1984 and the other replica, built by the FA after its first theft in 1966, was bought by FIFA in an auction in 1997. A British jeweller named George Bird had made a gilded bronze copy of the original trophy after being commissioned by the FA.

The only original piece of Abel Lafleur’s trophy in existence today is the original base, which was swapped out in 1954 for a taller one. The piece was discovered in 2015 stowed away in the basement of the FIFA headquarters in Zurich.

FIFA World Cup trophy: 1974-present

Since 1974, football world champions have been presented with the new version called the FIFA World Cup trophy.

Sculptors from seven countries sent in 53 submissions for the new design but eventually, it was commissioned to Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga.

The FIFA World Cup trophy is 36.5 cm tall and is made of 6.175 kg of 18 karats (75%) gold. It has a circular base, 13 cm in diameter, made of two layers of malachite.

The design sees arching lines from the base spiral up and forms the base for a golden replica of the world. The trophy is hollow from the inside.

The trophy has the words FIFA World Cup engraved on its base. After the 1994 FIFA World Cup, a plate was added to the bottom of the trophy on which the names of winning countries are engraved in vertical order. After 2014, it was changed and names were rearranged in a spiral to accommodate more winners.

Unlike the Jules Rimet Trophy, the original FIFA World Cup trophy cannot be won outright anymore.

The new regulations state that it remains in FIFA's possession, secured at its Zurich headquarters, barring ceremonial requirements like the Trophy Tour and during the FIFA World Cup main draws and the final presentation.

Instead, the FIFA World Cup winners from each year get to permanently keep a gold-plated bronze replica, referred to as the FIFA World Cup Winners’ Trophy , for every tournament they win.

One such replica was also given to Nelson Mandela before South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2010. It was the only instance of an individual receiving an official replica of the trophy to date.

Additionally, only a select group of people, including heads of state and former World Cup winners, are allowed to touch the original FIFA World Cup trophy.

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FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour with Coca Cola

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour with Coca Cola has been going since 2006, bringing the trophy on show to all the football fans across the world. As part of this prestigious exhibition event, The Graphical Tree were honoured to work with with long standing client, M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment, who managed the exhibition in Earls Court, London.  And, entrusted us with with all print production.

Large exhibition graphics for impact

The design and artwork were produced by creative agency Branch. We worked closely with Branch from the start of the job to make sure everything was understood and ran smoothly. First on the list was a site visit to the venue, which was the huge Earls Court Two exhibition event space. This consisted of 17,000 square metres of floor space and was entirely column-free. That’s a lot of space for exhibition graphics, many being large in size to enable maximum impact to the exhibition visitors.

Working together to install large banners

After the site visit we kept in close contact with Branch to answer any logistical questions. We were also able to start our own preparation. This included due diligence on Health & Safety and planning ahead for the installation . Ongoing conversations with Branch meant we were aware in advance of large banners to be hung high up. To do this we commissioned scissor lifts to accommodate our team of graphic installers.

Large vinyl PVC banners

The majority of the signage was produced using hemmed vinyl PVC. This included hanging vinyl banners approx 3m x 10m and 30m x 3m in size. We also produced large triangular registration banners that were cable tied and hung outside of the venue. As well as the super-wide graphics we also produced smaller scale signage for the event. This included lightbox prints for illumination outside the venue, freestanding outdoor signs and information graphics.

Print finish

The main event was the presentation viewing of the world cup. As you can imagine this was a great photo opportunity for the press and attendees. With this in mind it was important that graphics were printed to a matte substrate and not gloss. This kept glare from venue lighting and flash photography to a minimum. When involved from the start in the project, and privy to the full brief, we can make recommendations to product materials similar to how we did this for the FIFA World Cup Tour project. This always helps to enhance the end result for both the client and the public alike.

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Coca-Cola: FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour

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In 2022, Octagon worked with Coca-Cola to execute the fifth edition of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, leading up to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which took the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy to 51 countries across six continents, including all 32 qualified nations for the first time ever.

Over the past two years, Octagon worked closely with stakeholders across the world to plan events in each market that targeted a wide range of audiences, including thousands of fans, 11 Heads of State, and tens of thousands of additional customers, bottlers, media, and influencers.

The global experience not only included the Original Trophy — Coca-Cola’s key FIFA asset — and associated brand assets but experiential activations that link to the core campaign, including the innovative Coke Ink Studio, using advanced tech to allow fans to create custom temporary tattoos to show off their national pride. As part of the global Tour, Octagon guided the Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Trophy to historic sites across the world, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, and Wembley Stadium in London, among a broad collection of other global landmarks.

The 2022 Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour was a smashing success on all levels, with the Octagon team delivering more than 1,000 activation hours ​across 127 days, engaging tens of thousands of fans in 51 countries across six continents, featuring more than 20 FIFA World Cup legends, generating millions of video views across Instagram, and delivering 17 world-class concerts throughout the Tour.

Special exhibition "The Making of a Footballer: Photographs of Youthful Dreams"

Football fans can look forward to a new special exhibition at the FIFA Museum from 2 May 2024.

3rd edition of “The Official History of the FIFA World Cup™” now available at the FIFA Museum Shop

The new edition, updated to include the chapter on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, is now available in the FIFA Museum Shop in Zurich.

A prestigious award and its history

Just hours after The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2023 Ceremony in London, the FIFA Museum has unveiled a section in its permanent exhibition highlighting the history of this prestigious award. Over the next couple of weeks, the trophy and a selection of objects from previous winners are on display.

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Explore our exhibition and discover what you can find when you visit.

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Special exhibition area to close the coming weeks.

Following the conclusion of the special exhibition “Designing the Beautiful Game” on 1 April, the special exhibition area on the first floor of the museum will be closed for the coming weeks starting 2 April, while a new exhibition is being installed.

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Museum Life VR Experience "The first FIFA World Cup™"

Immerse yourself in the history of football and participate in a multiplayer Virtual Reality Experience, which will plunge you into the historical atmosphere of the first FIFA World Cup™ in Uruguay in 1930.

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Experience football on a new level. Our FIFA football expert Pascal “Zubi” Zuberbühler returns to the Sportsbar 1904 with his co-host, FIFA Analyst Harry Lowe, to analyse the UEFA Champions League. Don't miss it!

News & Info Audio guide brings stories to life at the FIFA Museum

Since its opening in 2016, a visit to the FIFA Museum has been an extraordinary visual experience. Now it has a new soundtrack. Visitors are invited to enhance their visit with a free audio guide, available in six languages. 

Get all information on ticket prices, discounts and how to buy tickets online.

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Located in central Zurich, the museum is easily accessible by public transport. Use our tool to plan your trip.

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FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola

FIFA world cup will be the 21st FIFA World Cup. Over the next few months the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. This coca-cola Trophy will visit no less than 91 cities across 51 countries and six continents.

Coca-Cola is inviting fans around the world for the highly anticipated 2018 FIFA World Cup. This Trophy will be presented to the winning country of the tournament in July.

FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola takes off from London

It is scheduled to take place in Russia from 14 June to 15 July 2018. Total 32 national teams, which include 31 teams determined through qualifying competitions and the automatically qualified host team. In this tournament, 32 Teams participate from 5 confederations.

This is the fourth time in FIFA World cup history when Coca-Cola and FIFA have come together. It is the 4th Trophy Tour to the world.

The trophy will be in Uganda on 5th – 6th March 2018. The first time 2018 FIFA World Cup Trophy will be visiting Iceland, Austria and Mongolia.

Tweet by FIFA.com In Twitter page ” Are you #ReadyFor the #WorldCup Trophy Tour? 🏆🌍@Pirlo_official & @TheGeoffHurst helped launch the tour’s global leg, which will take in 9⃣1⃣ cities, in London today.”

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FIFA World Cup Original Trophy seen by over 220,000 Russians

First stage of FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola concluded yesterday

16 Russian cities visited over the past 78 days 

International leg kicks off in London on 22 January

As the 32 national teams eagerly await the outcome of the Final Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ on 1 December, the prize they are all competing for next summer has completed the first stage of its tour around the Host Country.

Over the past 78 days, the FIFA World Cup Original Trophy has visited 16 cities in Russia, including four Host Cities of the tournament. During the tour, which ended on 26 November, fans were offered a taste of the upcoming festival of football and came as close as you can be to the trophy every player is dreaming of lifting.

“The first stage of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola came to a close in Sochi yesterday after a great journey around the Host Nation, Russia,” said FIFA’s Chief Commercial Officer Philippe Le Floc’h. “Together with our partner Coca-Cola, we have visited 16 cities in Russia, travelling more than 16,000 kilometres and passing through six time zones. Over 220,000 people had the unique opportunity to see the FIFA World Cup Trophy with their own eyes. FIFA World Cup Ambassadors, local celebrities and thousands of passionate Russian football fans were there to welcome the trophy at every stop. We are looking forward to the rest of the tour, during which the trophy will visit 51 countries around the world before returning to Russia next May shortly before the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.”

Government officials and celebrities provided invaluable support in organising the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. As part of the events around the tour, numerous Host City Ambassadors were involved, including Dmitri Bulykin, Yelena Isinbayeva, Natalia Ishchenko, Evgeni Lovchev, Viktoria Lopyreva, Sergei Metreveli, Anastasia Myskina, Alexei Nemov and Sergei Semak.

"As organisers of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the Trophy Tour is as important and essential a part of the preparations as any other operation," said Alexey Sorokin, CEO of the Russia 2018 Local Organising Committee. "This tour builds up the atmosphere of a festival of football and gives fans all over the country the unique opportunity to come within touching distance of the sport’s biggest prize, which the captain of the newly crowned world champions will raise above his head next July!”*

“We are proud that the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola has given a unique chance to people throughout Russia to see this legendary prize in football up close,” commented Michael Vinet, General Manager of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Project, Coca-Cola Russia, “but for us as the exclusive tour organisers, the social mission is even more important. Together with FIFA and the 2018 Local Organising Committee, we are drawing attention to the importance of developing youth football in Russia and supporting inclusivity in sport thanks to the tour. This is precisely why we have visited sports school, children’s homes and orphanages, schools for disabled children, universities and youth football tournaments. We put on four Unified Games featuring 3,000 players and fans. I hope seeing the FIFA World Cup Trophy in person will inspire them to future achievements in sport and life.”

On 22 January, the international leg of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour™ by Coca-Cola kicks off in London, United Kingdom before visiting 51 countries on all six continents. The FIFA World Cup Trophy will return to Russia in May 2018, when it will visit nine more cities: Vladivostok, Novosibirsk, Ekaterinburg, Samara, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Saint Petersburg and Moscow.

You can follow the the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola on fifa.com/trophytour and social media platforms Facebook and Instagram .

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Ranking potential Champions League finals as Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund advance

The final is slated for june 1 at london's wembley stadium.

With the semifinalists officially set for this season's UEFA Champions League, the countdown to the June 1 final at London's Wembley Stadium is officially underway -- and could feature several of the sport's biggest stars.

Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund were the first teams to book their spots to the last four when they ousted Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, respectively, on Tuesday. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich , meanwhile, punched their tickets on Wednesday, with Manchester City and Arsenal going home in the process.

The semifinalists set up for several fascinating matchups in the final, though naturally some are more exciting prospects than others. Here's a ranking of the potential finales to this season's Champions League, all of which are poised to entertain.

4. Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid

One of these matchups has to rank lowest, but this potential final makes its way to last place fairly easily. Real Madrid might be the favorites to win this competition regardless of the opponent, but Dortmund are unquestionably the underdogs of the final four. A win for La Liga's leaders would feel like a foregone conclusion well before kickoff, even if many would enjoy watching Dortmund pull of the upset.

3. Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich

Bayern would also enter this game as the favorites, but the interesting thing about this potential final is that Thomas Tuchel's side have been remarkably inconsistent this season. The Champions League has been a saving grace in a season that would otherwise not be worth remembering, which included a 2-0 loss to Dortmund last month. There's also the sentimental value of the domestic matchup at Wembley, since the last time the venue hosted the Champions League final it featured both of these teams. Bayern took home the trophy that day, and if they are in the final this time around, they could do so again to avoid the prospect of their first trophyless season in more than a decade. Oh, and there's that little angle of Tuchel having made his name as Dortmund's manager. 

2. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich

Having two of Europe's super clubs in the final feels like the most appropriate thing for a Champions League final, especially when considering the stars on each side. Two of the game's top goalscorers -- Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane -- would be duking it out for their first Champions League titles. The added levels of intrigue to this final includes Kane possibly hoisting his first major trophy in his home city and the prospect of Mbappe ending his farewell tour on the ultimate high.

One more thing worth considering that could knock this matchup down the list -- this has been the trophy PSG have fervently chased since Qatar Sports Investments took the club over more than a decade ago. If they won it a year after City did, it would only add to the concerns around investments in the game by sovereign wealth funds, who seem to be the biggest power players in the sport at this point.

1. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Madrid

This final would also have the billing of PSG's potential clash with Bayern in which two of Europe's top clubs battle for the continent's biggest title. The biggest narrative hovering over this Champions League season, though, has been Mbappe's future, so perhaps the most appropriate ending would see his current team take on the side he's expected to join before the summer's over. It would be hard to predict how it would shake out, but the final result would linger as a narrative for Mbappe's next season regardless of where he ends up.

The point about PSG winning still stands, though, which could add a less-than-glamorous veneer to this season of the Champions League when all is said and done.

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FIFA tackling unique problem at 2026 World Cup: Natural grass in 5 indoor stadiums

The last time the United States hosted the FIFA men's World Cup , 30 years ago this summer, the tournament shattered attendance records that stand to this day. USA '94 also made history in at least one other way, when the Pontiac Silverdome in suburban Detroit became the first stadium to stage a World Cup match indoors.

Just four other indoor stadiums have followed in the three decades since: two each on the men's and women's sides. That makes the 2026 World Cup, which will be held across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, uncharted territory. No less than five of the 16 venues selected to host 104 matches over 39 days have fixed or retractable roofs. And because FIFA now requires all World Cup matches to be played on natural grass, that presents a significant challenge.

Pontiac hosted fewer games — four — than any other host city back in 1994, for fairly obvious reasons. "In a domed environment, Mother Nature can't get in natural sunlight, rain, air, etc. — all the things a green plant needs," Alan Ferguson, FIFA's chief field czar, told FOX Sports in a phone interview. "It's how we go about replicating that."

Ferguson was speaking from Knoxville, Tennessee, where last week he presented to delegates representing all 16 host cities for 2026 the initial findings of a seven-figure research project commissioned by global soccer's governing body to determine how best to ensure that elite-level fields can survive the five-week plus tournament. 

That has never been attempted before. Slapping down temporary grass fields in indoor venues has been done countless times since the Silverdome made history; just last month, AT&T Stadium outside Dallas installed a natural turf surface for the Concacaf Nations League finals. But there's a big difference between playing a few matches over a long weekend and hosting nine World Cup games — including a semifinal — over a month-plus, as "Jerry World" will do two years from now.

"What you saw in Dallas recently, it's a quick solution for one or two games," Ferguson said. "The World Cup is played over a much longer period of time. The grass has to have the ability to recover between games."

The early research, carried out jointly by the University of Tennessee and Michigan State University, is encouraging. Much has changed in the natural turf world since 1994, and the U.S. remains on the cutting edge; all the fields used for the 2022 World Cup were grown in Arizona before being shipped to Qatar. "Our whole industry has changed beyond all recognition," Ferguson said. "We have things available to us now that we didn't have 30 years ago."

Under FIFA regulations, all fields must now be of the hybrid variety, where artificial fibers are woven into the grass to create a sturdier surface. Grow lamps can suitably mimic natural sunlight. "We've managed to work out how we're going to get it irrigated, to get it to grow in the dark, using the latest technology," said Ferguson, a Scotland native who oversaw the field at London's famed Wembley Stadium before joining FIFA as its senior pitch management manager in 2018.

Reducing the depth of the field and the sand and soil mix that lies on the concrete floor underneath also helps. While a traditional pitch is about 16 inches deep, the indoor venues in 2026 will use fields more than half as shallow. The idea is that all 16 fields used in 2026 will look, feel and play almost identically, regardless of climate, what specific type of grass is laid, or whether it's under a ceiling or open sky.

Some of the 11 open-air venues picked for the next World Cup present challenges, too. Three of those NFL arenas — Lumen Field in Seattle, Gillette Stadium near Boston and MetLife Stadium just outside New York City, the site of the 2026 final — use artificial turf for gridiron games. Even without 300-pound linemen trampling the sod, the cavernous nature of those facilities creates shadows that prevent the playing field from getting enough sun to sustain high-quality natural grass. In 2016, MetLife's hastily installed turf was in terrible shape by the time the Copa América Centenario final between Argentina and Chile rolled around.

But lessons have been learned in the eight years that have passed since. FIFA groundskeepers will also have significantly more lead time to install its World Cup fields, in New Jersey and across the continent. "I'm reasonably relaxed about where we are" with MetLife, Ferguson said. "That's probably one of the ones we're happier about."

The 82,000-seat MetLife is one of several stadiums that will remove corner seating to accommodate the minimum 75-yard-wide fields FIFA mandates for World Cup games.

The prep work isn't limited just to the stadiums. "The training sites are probably as important, if not more important, because the base camps are where the teams will make their homes for however long they're in the tournament," Ferguson said. "They have to replicate, as far as reasonably practical, the surfaces in the stadiums, and they will be subjected the same high-level delivery. It's the same approach right across the board."

Two years out, the clock is ticking ever louder.

"We know what a good pitch looks like," Ferguson said. "Everybody understands what has to be done. We're working through every issue bit by bit.

"We're getting pretty close," he added. "But we've got a bit of work still to go."

Doug McIntyre is a soccer writer for FOX Sports. Before joining FOX Sports in 2021, he was a staff writer with ESPN and Yahoo Sports and he has covered United States men's and women's national teams at multiple FIFA World Cups. Follow him on Twitter @ ByDougMcIntyre .

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona resume Mundial de Clubes FIFA 25 race

Qualification places for the inaugural 32-team tournament could be decided in several confederations in the coming days.

Only one of heavyweight Spanish pair can claim a place in the USA next year

South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns could seal their spot on Saturday

Ulsan just one win away from becoming first Korean club to qualify

Atletico Madrid (ESP) and Barcelona (ESP) resume their battle to reach the inaugural Mundial de Clubes FIFA 25™ (FIFA Club World Cup 2025™) when they contest their respective UEFA Champions League quarter-final second legs on Tuesday, while spots in Asia and Africa could also be decided in the coming days.

Tuesday 16 April Tuesday 16 April

Europe europe.

Following their 2-1 first-leg win against Borussia Dortmund (GER), Atleti are well-placed to join city rivals Real Madrid (ESP) as Spain’s second representative via the rankings pathway . With just nine points left to play for (seven from matches, two by advancing to further rounds), Diego Simeone’s men are six points clear of Barcelona in the standings.

If Barcelona, who hold a 3-2 first-leg lead, are knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Atletico’s place would also be secured. If both go through, they will face each other in the final four with the second Spanish spot still on the line – either through the champions or rankings pathway.

Either would qualify as European champions, but it is impossible for both teams to reach the United States tournament.

If Atletico win the second leg against a Dortmund side who have already clinched their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 spot, there is only one way for Barcelona to deny their La Liga rivals a place in the inaugural 32-team competition via the rankings pathway: win their quarter-final second leg, defeat Atletico in both semi-final legs and lose the final in a penalty shoot-out.

If Atletico achieve a better second-leg result than their domestic rivals, Barcelona will no longer be able to overtake Atletico in the rankings and can only displace them at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as 2023/24 European champions.

Winning a sixth European crown would clinch Barca a place at Atletico’s expense. If Barcelona win the second leg and Atleti are eliminated, Xavi Hernandez’s men would close to within three points of their compatriots in the rankings. To overhaul Atletico, however, Barcelona would still need to reach this season's UEFA Champions League final.

Two places remain up for grabs in Asia: one for the winners of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League, the other via the ranking pathway.

Al Ain (UAE) host Saudi four-time AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal in Tuesday's semi-final first leg. While Al Hilal's 2021 win in the competition means their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 place is already secure, a fifth continental crown this season would activate a second rankings slot and take Korean duo Ulsan HD (KOR) and Jeonbuk Motors (KOR) with them to the United States.

The picture is crystal clear for Al Ain – they must lift the AFC Champions League trophy to seal a place in the United States.

Wednesday 17 April Wednesday 17 April

Arsenal's (ENG) only route to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 passes through winning the UEFA Champions League for the first time. They travel to Munich on Wednesday where Bayern Munich (GER), who secured a 2-2 first-leg draw in London, have already guaranteed a spot in the global showpiece as Germany’s top-ranked team. If Bayern progress, they will earn Austrian neighbours FC Salzburg (AUT) a place in the US via the rankings pathway.

As the last two winners of the UEFA Champions League, both Manchester City (ENG) and Real Madrid, who play their second leg in England on Wednesday, have already secured their places at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Ulsan will secure a place in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 if they win against Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) on Wednesday. In fact, two draws in their remaining games in the competition - or progressing to the final - would also see Ulsan claim the rankings pathway place.

If Ulsan and Al Hilal reach the final, Jeonbuk - who were knocked out by Ulsan in the quarter-finals - would be assured of a place via the rankings pathway.

Yokohama know only a first AFC Champions League title is enough for them to progress.

Saturday 20 April Saturday 20 April

Africa africa.

The two teams still in contention for the one guaranteed spot available to an African team at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 via the rankings pathway meet in the CAF Champions League semi-finals as ES Tunis (TUN), with 90 points, host Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA), who have 98, in Saturday’s first leg.

With a maximum 12 points still available to non-champions, a Mamelodi first-leg win would guarantee their qualification for the global tournament next year as they would be 11 points ahead of their opponents with only nine still available.

A draw would leave ES Tunis still eight points back and needing to win the semi-final second leg and one of the two legs of the final to overtake Mamelodi. Should the Tunisians win both semi-final legs, they would overtake Mamelodi.

Both teams will qualify if Al Ahly (EGY), who have already qualified as the current African champions, eliminate TP Mazembe (COD) in the other semi-final as that will open two qualifying places via the rankings pathway. Only a TP Mazembe triumph in the competition overall can prevent ES Tunis and Mamelodi Sundowns from both punching their ticket for the United States.

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Italy starts Davis Cup title defense vs. Brazil; USA plays Chile

• Associated Press

LONDON -- Italy will kick off the defense of its Davis Cup title against Brazil in Bologna on Sept. 11.

The full schedule of the Davis Cup Finals group stage was announced on Thursday, with all the matches taking place from Sept. 10-15 across four cities.

Italy will also play against the Netherlands and Belgium in Group A.

The United States -- which has won the competition a record 32 times -- starts its campaign also on Sept. 11, against Chile in Zhuhai, China, before then going on to play Slovakia and Germany.

Australia, which has finished runner-up in the past two years, plays France in Valencia on Sept. 10. The Czech Republic and Spain are also in Group B.

Britain faces 2022 champion Canada on the final day in Manchester, with Finland and Argentina completing Group D.

Jannik Sinner led Italy to its first Davis Cup title in nearly five decades in November in Malaga.

This year's final eight will also be held in the Spanish city from Nov. 19-24.