FIFA World Cup trophy arrives in Sri Lanka to kick off global tour

The FIFA World Cup trophy arrived in Sri Lanka late on Tuesday and was unveiled by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at two separate events

The World Cup trophy has arrived in Sri Lanka for the first time as the most coveted prize in global soccer started a 54-country tour ahead of the 2018 tournament in Russia.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (3R), Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara (3L) and French football player Christian Karembeu (2R), a 1998 FIFA World Cup champion, take part in a ceremony for the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour in Colombo on January 24, 2018. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour is heading to 50 countries across six continents before returning to the host country in May, ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. (AFP/Getty Images)

The trophy arrived late on Tuesday and was unveiled by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at two separate events with the participation of French 1998 World Cup-winning midfielder Christian Karembeu.

“We are privileged to be selected as the first country on the FIFA trophy’s international tour,” Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara told a gathering as the World Cup was put on display for the public.

The trophy is scheduled to be taken to Male in the Maldives later on Wednesday.