World Cup trophy coming for visit to Saddledome Sunday

The World Cup trophy is coming to Calgary for a Saddledome visit on Sunday

The FIFA World Cup trophy is coming to Calgary this weekend.

The 18-carat gold trophy was in Vancouver Friday, where it made an appearance in CTV’s Vancouver studios on the morning show.

It arrives at the Scotiabank Saddledome for viewing on Sunday, where fans can take pictures, play games, enter draws for giveaways and sample sodas from the tour sponsor, Coca-Cola.

Thousands of fans are expected.

It’s a ticketed event, but they’re free and available here.

The trophy — usually kept at the FIFA Museum in Zurich — will also make stops in Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa and Toronto before May 26.

The trophy tour gives soccer fans a chance to see the 6.175-kilogram statue up close before the World Cup kicks off in Mexico City and Guadalajara.

Vancouver is among the 16 cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico that will host a combined 104 games during the expanded 48-team tournament, running June 11 through July 19.

B.C. is no stranger to hosting international events, from the Commonwealth Games to the 2010 Olympics, premier David Eby told the crowd on Friday.

The World Cup, though, is on another scale.

“The World Cup will be the largest international event we have ever participated in, with more than five billion people tuning in,” he said.

Third appearance for Canada

The 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place between June 11 and July 19 in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Canada is set to make its third World Cup appearance, starting with a matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.

The team will then move to Vancouver where Canada will take on Qatar on June 18 before wrapping group play against Switzerland on June 24.

As hosts, the country will show not only its love of the sport, but its talent, too, said FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani.

“I think the message here is welcome the world, but be proud that this sport is ours,” he said. “This sport is ours. Own it, love it, cherish it and pass it on to the future generations.”

With files from CTV News’ Jon Hendricks, William Reimer and Harrison Shin and The Canadian Press