PHOTO: COCA-COLA

Bangladesh national team captain Jamal Bhuiyan and Gilberto Silva -- a member of Brazil’s World Cup-winning squad in 2002 -- pose with the FIFA World Cup trophy as it arrived in Bangladesh on Wednesday morning as part of the “FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola” ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. On his first visit to Bangladesh, the Brazil legend thanked fans “for the warm welcome” and hoped the trophy tour would mark an occasion that “inspires the young generation to play sports, especially football.” The trophy was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka by Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Tabith Awal, joined by BIDA chairman Ashik Chowdhury and NBR chairman Abdur Rahman Khan. Under tight security, the trophy was then escorted from the airport to the Radisson Blu Hotel, where fans had the opportunity to view and take pictures with the iconic prize. This time, the World Cup trophy is being showcased at 75 locations across 30 countries, including Bangladesh, which was also part of the trophy tour ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.