FIFA World Cup Trophy to tour Canada ahead of 2026 Tournament
The FIFA World Cup Trophy will tour Canada this spring as excitement builds ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering fans across the country a rare opportunity to see football’s most iconic prize in person.
As part of the 75-stop FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, the trophy will visit seven Canadian cities between April 9 and May 26, stopping in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa and Toronto. The tour comes just weeks before the expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, begins on June 11 and runs through July 19.
Canadian Cities on the Trophy Tour
The Canadian leg of the tour will run as follows:
- April 9–11: Vancouver
- April 12: Calgary
- April 13: Winnipeg
- May 22: Montreal
- May 23: Halifax
- May 24: Ottawa
- May 25–26: Toronto
Tickets for the events are free, with fans able to register starting Thursday at 8 a.m. Alberta time via Coca-Cola, FIFA’s long-standing tournament partner.
A Global Tour builds momentum for 2026
The World Cup Trophy Tour began on January 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero unveiling the trophy at the opening stop. The tour is designed to bring the World Cup closer to fans around the world, particularly in host nations preparing to welcome the tournament.
For Canada, this marks a symbolic milestone. The country will host World Cup matches for the first time, cementing its place on football’s biggest stage alongside long-time hosts the U.S. and Mexico.
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The Story behind Football’s Most Famous Trophy
The current FIFA World Cup Trophy was first awarded in 1974, replacing the original Jules Rimet Trophy, which had been used since the inaugural tournament in 1930.
Brazil earned the right to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently after winning the World Cup for a third time in 1970. FIFA then launched a design competition, selecting Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga from 53 submissions to create the new trophy that remains in use today.
Design, Weight and Craftsmanship
The World Cup Trophy is instantly recognizable and steeped in symbolism:
- Material: 18-karat solid gold
- Height: 14.5 inches
- Weight: 13.6 pounds
- Base: 5.1 inches in diameter, featuring two semi-precious green malachite bands
The base has undergone several restorations over the years, including the application of new gold plating to preserve its condition. Engraved underneath are the names of every World Cup-winning nation since 1974, forming a permanent record of football history.
Who gets the Trophy?
Until 2006, World Cup winners were allowed to keep the original trophy in their federation’s headquarters until the next tournament. That practice has since changed. Today, the original trophy is only presented during the official prize-giving ceremony and is then returned to FIFA. The winning nation receives an exact replica, allowing the original to be preserved and protected.
Countdown to a landmark World Cup
The 2026 edition will be the largest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across three countries. Canada’s role as co-host represents a historic moment for the sport in the country, with the trophy tour serving as a tangible preview of what lies ahead.
As the countdown continues, the arrival of the World Cup Trophy on Canadian soil offers fans a chance to connect with the tournament’s legacy, and dream of what the summer of 2026 might bring.
SportsLigue