Celebrating the inclusive power of sport with the country’s football community
TIRANA, 22 MAY 2022 – The fifth FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola arrived in Tirana on 22nd of May 2022, giving the Albanian football community the chance to experience football’s most coveted prize.
The FIFA World Cup TM Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola kicked off in May 2022 in Dubai and will visit 51 football nations, and for the first time ever, all 32 FIFA World CupTM qualifying countries, inspiring people across the world.
“I know first-hand how lifting the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy can excite millions of fans. It is an honor to be here in Albania and I’ve seen the passion for football across Europe. With 51 stops across the world, I’ve no doubt the Tour by Coca-Cola will inspire and engage an unprecedented number of future rising football stars from this region, too” said Gilberto Silva, FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola Ambassador.
The welcoming event in Albania took place at the Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD) in Tirana, with the presence of the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama. Young footballers, both with and without special intellectual needs, selected by the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) and Special Olympics Albania had the chance to play football in the garden at short distance from the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy, guided by Gilberto Silva and the Albanian football legend Lorik Cana. An exhibition about the history of Albanian football was also organized in the venue, thanks to the collaboration with FHSF. The arrival of the FIFA World CupTM Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola in Albania is an opportunity to promote inclusion through sport. For this reason, this marked the beginning of the development of a social responsibility project with FSHF supported by Coca-Cola.
“There is no greater symbol in the world of sports that stands stronger than the Original FIFA World CupTM Trophy” said Luca Busi, President of Coca-Cola Bottling Shqipëria “The FIFA World CupTM Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will uplift and refresh fans every step of the way to the tournament and we’re pleased to bring the Original FIFA World CupTM Trophy for the first time to Albania. A country where Coca-Cola feels at home after decades of presence and constant appreciation by the consumers”
This initiative is the latest example of the strong bond that links Coca-Cola with the country. The history of Coca-Cola in Albania began 28 years ago when Coca-Cola Bottling Albania (CCBS) opened its doors and since then, Coca-Cola is a proud contributor to the country’s economy and culture.
The Coca-Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1974 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World CupTM since 1978. Coca-Cola has advertised at every FIFA World CupTM stadium since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels.
