‘It’s surreal’: Calgary soccer fans treated to World Cup trophy tour

Roque Júnior, a Brazilian former player who won the World Cup in 2002, helps unveil the FIFA World Cup trophy in Calgary.

Thousands of Calgary soccer fans braved the snow on Sunday to have their picture taken with the game’s top international prize.

The FIFA World Cup trophy is making stops in seven Canadian cities before the tournament kicks off in Canada, Mexico and the United States in June.

“It’s a moment that they will keep with them as they train, play and compete on fields around our province and maybe even get inspired to become Canada’s next Alphonso Davies or Christine Sinclair,” said Andrew Boitchenko, the provincial minister of tourism and sport.

The 18 karat gold trophy, which weighs 6.175 kilograms, was unveiled in Calgary by Roque Júnior, a Brazilian former player who won the World Cup in 2002.

“For me, the World Cup brings a joyful atmosphere and connects all the people around the soccer and you cannot find this anywhere else. I think we will have a very good World Cup,” Júnior told CTV News.

All of the 6,500 tickets for Calgary were claimed well in advance of the trophy’s stop. Fans were able to have their photographs taken in front of the glass case holding the trophy, which is usually on display at the FIFA museum in Switzerland.

“Honestly, it’s surreal. I see (the trophy) on TV, see all these different players that we grew up watching and it’s awesome to see it in person in Calgary,” said fan Liam McTaggart after exiting the trophy tent.

Canada will begin its tournament in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12.

“Even though there’s not going to be any games here (in Calgary), it’s nice to see that we’re getting the representation that I think we deserve,” said soccer fan James Power.

The trophy tour still has stops in Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa and Toronto until May 26.