The biggest trophy in soccer arrived in the capital on Sunday, giving fans a chance to glimpse the original FIFA World Cup. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola continues to make its way across Canada ahead of the World Cup games, making its sixth stop with the iconic gold cup in Ottawa. It gave fans like Martin Langwa a chance to see it in person for the first time. “This is a lifetime event, so I cannot say anything more about this. A lifetime event,” he says. “I’m looking at World Cup Trophy that the whole world is fighting about it and it is in Ottawa, Canada!” The games begin in three weeks, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, bringing the excitement to a fever pitch. FIFA World Cup Champion Alessandro Nesta was on hand for the unveiling in the Aberdeen Pavillion in Lansdowne. “It’s amazing that the trophy may be the most important trophy in the world. And, when we open the boxer, the people here (they get) very excited,” he explains. “I know, because when I won that trophy, my face was like the kids.” Prime Minister Mark Carney was also in attendance and had the chance to hoist the trophy. “In 2012, Canada was 112th in the world, now we’re one of the top 30. That’s a 75 per cent increase — I’m an economist — it’s a 75 per cent increase. We belong on the pitch with the best teams in the world and we’re going to see that,” Carney said. Sampson MacCormack plays for the Ottawa South United, and the 16-year-old says he’s loved the game of soccer his whole life. Seeing the cup with his dad was an incredible moment. “All the names at the bottom represent how the world comes as a community,” he says. “It’s all focus on one sport, and the sport brings everybody together.” The trophy tour has hit spots across the country – from Vancouver to Halifax, and finish in Toronto during it’s ten day tour. Diana Brenchley, the marketing director for Coca-Cola Canada, says tens of thousands of fans have come out. “Lots of Canada jerseys, but also so many other nations. And I think just speaks to our international fandom and how Canada is ready to welcome the world. Simon Allard, the general manager of Coke Canada Bottling’s facility in Ottawa-Gatineau, says many local employees volunteered for the event to help with its success. He says this experience has been humbling. “Be able to see it like that close? It’s a big deal. It’s very impressive,” he says of the cup.
