India marked a historic milestone in global football as the FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy arrived in the country as part of the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. The two-day celebration in Delhi on 10th and 11th January 2026 brought together dignitaries, football icons, fans, and the event industry, signalling India’s growing presence in the global football ecosystem ahead of the 2026 tournament. The Delhi leg of the tour was led by Redknot Marketing Solutions as the main organiser, working closely with the Coca-Cola Company on the overall concept, planning, and execution.
Led by Managing Director Gaurav Arora, Redknot planned and executed the Delhi leg across both days, bringing together sport, fan engagement and entertainment in one seamless experience, including India’s first-ever Coke Studio Bharat LIVE as part of the celebration.
Day 1: Official Arrival and Unveiling Ceremony
Day one was dedicated to the formal arrival and official unveiling of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy. The unveiling ceremony was led by former Brazilian World Cup winner and FIFA legend Gilberto D’Silva, alongside Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Also present at the ceremony was Kalyan Chaubey, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), along with senior officials and key stakeholders from the Indian football fraternity.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said, “Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, sports has emerged as a national priority. We firmly believe that sports is a powerful instrument for nurturing discipline, confidence, and character, particularly among our youth. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour resonates strongly with our aspiration to position India among the world’s top five sporting nations by 2047. As India advances on its journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047, sports will stand as a vital pillar of nation-building and youth empowerment.”
Sharing his excitement, Gilberto Silva highlighted the growing love for football in the country. “We always heard that in India cricket is very popular, and I was very happy to discover that football is also so loved in India. Back in the day, growing up in my village in Brazil, I would look up to the football stars as my idols, and now, due to this game, I have also become famous — it feels great. This trophy is to inspire so many young kids, inspire the next generation of players, women and boys, to become successful here in football as well, as they have done in other sports, especially in cricket,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Sanket Ray, President, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said sports have emerged as a strong pillar of nation-building. “The reason is closely aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047, where young India is empowered to lead, compete, and excel on the world stage. Coca-Cola’s association with the FIFA World Cup brings this national focus on sports and youth aspiration to life,” Ray said.
The closed-door unveiling marked a symbolic moment for Indian football, officially welcoming the world’s most coveted football trophy to the country and setting the tone for the fan-focused celebrations that followed.
Day 2: Trophy Exhibition, Fan Experiences & Coke Studio Bharat LIVE at NSIC
The focus shifted entirely to fans on Day 2 as the original FIFA World Cup Trophy was exhibited for public viewing at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds, Okhla. Football enthusiasts from across Delhi and neighbouring regions gathered in large numbers to witness the iconic trophy up close, which was indeed a rare and memorable experience for Indian fans.
Entry to the exhibition was managed through QR-code-based access, followed by structured security checks and guided movement into the trophy viewing arena, ensuring a smooth and immersive experience throughout the day.
The NSIC venue was transformed into a vibrant football carnival featuring freestyle football zones, interactive engagement areas, and immersive brand experiences. Professional freestylers showcased high-skill performances, while fans participated in football challenges and activity-led installations designed to celebrate the spirit of the game. Food zones, open social spaces, and interactive hubs encouraged visitors to spend the day at the venue, turning the trophy exhibition into a full-scale football festival.
Adding to the excitement were special appearances by actor Varun Sood, Indian men’s team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, former India professional footballer Robin Singh, and India women’s team defender Dalima Chhibber. Their interactions with fans, photo opportunities, and on-ground engagement helped strengthen the connection between Indian footballers and the fan community.
As evening set in, the celebrations culminated with Coke Studio Bharat LIVE, which was hosted for the first time in India, blending football fervour with live music. During the concert, Gilberto Silva made a special appearance on stage with the FIFA World Cup Trophy, drawing loud cheers from the crowd and creating one of the most memorable moments of the evening.
The concert featured performances by Shreya Ghoshal, Aditya Rikhari, Rashmeet Kaur, and Divyam, offering fans a high-energy cultural close to the two-day celebration.
Event Industry Partners
The large-scale execution of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour in Delhi was supported by leading players from India’s event and experiential marketing ecosystem. Some other industry partners involved in the event included Ojas Entertainment as Production Partner, Usually Unusual Entertainment as Show Running Partner, MSIPL as Audio Production Partner, REPRESENT Management as Artist Manager, Pixadoo as Visual Partner, Bling Ping as Content Production Partner and District as Ticketing Partner. Together, these partners played a crucial role in delivering production, logistics, fan engagement zones, technology integration, and immersive on-ground experiences across both days of the event.
Looking Ahead
Following its successful two-day showcase in Delhi, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy has now moved to Guwahati, where the next leg of the Trophy Tour is scheduled to take place on 12th January 2026, continuing to take the World Cup excitement closer to football fans across the country.
