Getting up close and personal with the World Cup is every football fan’s dream, and we were lucky enough to Taste the Feeling last week when the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola came to Dubai!
Flying in on a private Coca-Cola plane, the most coveted prize in global sport touched down to a VIP welcome at DXB airport before visiting some of the most iconic locations around the city. From a picture-perfect moment at the Dubai Frame to a trip to the top of Burj Khalifa, the Coca-Cola team made sure the FIFA World Cup created a buzz of excitement throughout the city.
Arriving in style…
When a Coca-Cola plane flies into Dubai, you just know that something big is happening… and we wanted to bring you along for the ride, so we got airside and hopped aboard for an exclusive look. Ensuring the FIFA World Cup travels the world in style, Coca-Cola branded the entire plane from the inside-out, even building an onboard football pitch. Yes… an actual mini football pitch on the plane! Swapping spectator stands for seats and wing-backs for wings, this Trophy Tour brings a whole new meaning to the World Cup being ‘on-air’ now.
The BIG reveal
The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola was welcomed by His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council; Murat Ozgel, GM of Coca-Cola; and Victoria Lopyreva, official ambassador of the FIFA World Cup 2018 at an official press conference at ExecuJet. The unveiling speeches echoed sentiments of unification and inclusiveness, not only within the sport but within the city of Dubai:
“People across the world recognise the World Cup as a unifying force, and we are glad to bring it to Dubai, a city that embraces a culture of inclusiveness. Coca-Cola has a long standing partnership with FIFA, and thanks to our partnership with Dubai Sports Council, we have ensured that Dubai gets a glimpse of the most coveted sporting prize” – Murat Ozgel, GM of Coca-Cola
“In welcoming the World Cup to Dubai, we put our city on the international sporting map. Dubai is a landmark; the UAE is a landmark. The UAE is one family and today, as part of the tour, the World Cup will visit the Tolerance Bridge that stands as a symbol of our diverse community” – His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council
“Football has always been an important part of my life. I would like to commend Coca-Cola for their support of football and the FIFA World Cup message: zero discrimination.” – Victoria Lopyreva, official ambassador of the FIFA World Cup 2018
The Dubai Trophy Tour
Kicking-off the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour around Dubai, a Coca-Cola convoy and Dubai Police super fleet led the trophy to Zabeel Park for a picture-perfect moment in front of The Dubai Frame to celebrate the city’s past, present and future. The convoy then made its way to Tolerance Bridge, embracing the World Cup’s message of global inclusiveness, before departing to Downtown Dubai for the grand finale!
Coca-Cola lights up Burj Khalifa
The grand finale took place at the iconic Burj Khalifa, where the trophy made history with a photo at its highest point in the world while a memorable World Cup projection onto the Burj Khalifa lit up the Dubai sky! The night finished with a gala dinner at Burj Khalifa’s Armani Hotel where special guests came together in celebration of both the trophy and the sport that unites people from all over the world.
What next for the World Cup?
The global phase of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola departed from Russia in January, making its way around the world before returning for a final tour of the host-nation in May. It’s on a memorable journey that builds pre-tournament hype and a sense of aspiration among sporting fans from around the world who are #ReadyFor the action this summer!
To get a glimpse of the FIFA World Cup is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity, and we are super ecstatic that we had the chance to track the Coca-Cola Trophy Tour around Dubai!
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