@CocaColaCo @trophytour Heads Up UAE, as the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy has Touched Down!

Heads Up UAE, as the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy has Touched Down!

Today, Coca-Cola celebrated with the United Arab Emirates, as the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy landed in Abu Dhabi in the vibrantly decorated FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour plane.  Arriving in quite a majestic fashion, this Coca-Cola plane, housing the iconic trophy touched down at the Royal Jet Terminal in Abu Dhabi International Airport, where it received a passionate welcome.

 A private ceremony was held at the Royal Jet Terminal hosted by the Coca-Cola delegation in coordination with FIFA representatives.  In attendance were a number of VVIPS such as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nehyan and UAE FA President Yousuf Yaqoub Al Serkal and Vice President and head of the Pro-League committee, Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi.

Guests also included esteemed government officials and members of the press. The event served as an exclusive private preview of the unveiling of the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy, prior to its public reveal in Malaib, Corniche Road on Monday 16^th December.

Brought to the UAE by Coca-Cola, the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour will give over 7000 lucky fans an exhilarating opportunity to truly animate the spirit of football. The fan experience at the one-day FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour ‘Fan Zone’ on 16^th December will open its doors at 10am. Fans will be able to participate in a series of interactive activities before going through to see the trophy. A larger than life ‘Brazuca’ football, the official match ball of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, will be made readily available for fans to rejoice in the Adidas area, making for a truly authentic experience.

Fans will also be able to play the ultimate football game on SONY Play Station consoles whilst listening to great music from Coke Studio and of course, the Anthem. As an advocate of a healthy and active lifestyle, Coca – Cola will give fans the opportunity to test their football skills in a ‘shoot and score’ challenge. The FIFA World Cup™ mascot, Fuleco will make a special appearance, fueling the excitement for the FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil.

Before being ushered into the room where the trophy will be unveiled, fans will be shown an inspirational short movie using hologram technology. Finally, they will be exposed  to the pure gold trophy, weighing in at just over six kilograms of 18 carat gold and standing at 14.4 inches tall, being  proudly displayed. Thousands of enthusiasts will revel in the dramatic unveiling of the authentic trophy which has only been held by an exclusive line of football heroes and heads of state from across the globe. Their joy will be documented, as each fan will have the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the trophy as a memoir of this milestone event.

His Excellency President of the UAE FA, Yousuf Yaqoub Al Serkal quotes, “We are very proud to welcome the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy to the UAE, a country that embodies the very essence of football, from the national passion for the sport, to the unity that defines the sportsmanship. This is a very special milestone and we are happy to be a part of it and to host the trophy on UAE land, spreading happiness to all.”

FIFA Ambassador and former Argentina international Gabriel Calderon said, "I feel so fortunate to be a part of the 2013 FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour. As someone who actually played in the FIFA World Cup™, I know firsthand the exhilaration the sport brings. To be able to spread that joy with Coca-Cola and FIFA, and see how happy it makes people, is truly a privilege.”

Scott McCune, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Experiential Marketing said, “The passionate welcome we have received in the UAE has been contagious. To be able to witness the power football has to bring people together under a common passion.  This is what makes this trophy truly a “world’s cup” and why we are taking the trophy on its longest journey to date, visiting 90 countries over 9 months. To quantify the tour, we will be traveling 92,000 miles which is over 3.5 times around the world.”

Antoine Tayyar, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Middle East adds, “Coca-Cola has always been in the business of spreading happiness around the world. How we do this, takes many forms and the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour is just one of them. We all appreciate and rejoice in the passion that the Middle East and particularly the UAE has for football, and this Trophy Tour is just our way of fueling that flame.”

H.E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Airports, said “As Abu Dhabi’s gateway to the world, Abu Dhabi International Airport is proud to welcome the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy, a globally-recognised symbol of sportsmanship and excellence, to enthusiastic fans here in the UAE.  Abu Dhabi Airports looks forward to providing world-class service at Abu Dhabi International Airport to football fans when they embark to attend the World Cup in Brazil next year.” 

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, which was launched in Brazil on September 12^th 2013, extends across 90 countries, taking the trophy over 92,000 miles. After its stay in the UAE, the trophy will move onto the Pacific Islands, Central America, the Caribbean, and will finish its tour in April in Brazil, ahead of the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ tournament.

For the latest from the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour including upcoming tour destinations and dates, exclusive interviews, photos and videos, visit the official websitewww.fifa.com/trophytour, the official Facebook page www.facebook.com/trophytour, and  twitter at www.twitter.com/trophytour / @trophytour where our official photo blogger will live tweet directly from every event.