The most well-known trophy in the world of sports activities touched down in Toronto Wednesday morning.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy, emblematic of worldwide soccer supremacy, made its solely Canadian cease as a part of a worldwide tour forward of the event that kicks off Nov. 20 in Qatar. Canada, one in every of 32 World Cup groups, is making its first look in the game’s biggest showcase in 36 years.
For Dwayne De Rosario, the previous Canadian males’s nationwide workforce midfielder who helped greet the stable gold trophy at Pearson Airport, the joy and power was palpable as officers unveiled it in a glass case. He mentioned he had by no means been that shut to the trophy earlier than Wednesday.
“I used to be filled with feelings, pleasure and joy and tears,” he informed CBC Toronto.
“I can bear in mind watching guys like Maradona and Pele, and these gamers raise this trophy, and it is like, ‘Wow, you are proper there.’ It’s a dream come true.”
The trophy headed to BMO Field at Exhibition Place for a day VIP reception, “fan activation” occasion and fireplace chat with former Canadian nationwide workforce gamers.
The unique trophy is on 51-country tour to construct pleasure. On Nov. 23, Canada will play its first recreation of the event.
The U.S., Canada and Mexico will host the World Cup in 2026. De Rosario mentioned it is an vital image that carries which means past the sphere.
“It’s a trophy that unites the world. It brings the world collectively. Every nation, each continent, each nation is concerned in soccer in some capability,” he mentioned.
“To know that it is coming to our metropolis, it’s miles past the game. It’s going to create historical past, it is going to create tradition.”
Made of 18 carat gold, the unique World Cup Trophy stands 36.8 centimetres tall, or 14.5 inches, and it weights 6.142 kilograms, or 13.54 kilos. It depicts two human figures holding a globe aloft.
Fans have been in a position to have their photographs taken with the trophy at BMO subject.
World Cup 2026 means jobs for Toronto, mayor says
Toronto Mayor John Tory, additionally readily available for the disclosing of the trophy, mentioned he is enthusiastic about Canada’s participation on the World Cup this yr.
He added he’s trying forward to 2026, when Toronto shall be among the many host cities. An enormous worldwide spectacle such because the World Cup will do loads for town economically and will imply jobs, he mentioned.
More than 250,000 guests are anticipated in Toronto for the occasion, he mentioned.
“What meaning is, resort rooms throughout this area full of holiday makers. It means eating places full of individuals consuming. It means folks buying. It means folks seeing our metropolis and our area and our province and deciding to make investments in and to come to dwell right here.”
Before reaching Toronto, the trophy stopped in Los Angeles on Nov. 5, Dallas on Nov. 6 and 7, and New York City on Nov. 8.
Canada’s schedule on the World Cup is as follows:
- Canada vs. Belgium — Nov. 23.
- Canada vs. Croatia — Nov. 27.
- Canada vs. Morocco — Dec. 1.
The high two groups in Canada’s group will advance to the Round of 16.
