Overview
- Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Brazil’s World Cup winner Gilberto Silva unveiled the original trophy in New Delhi, with AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey in attendance.
- The trophy is on public display in Delhi on January 11–12 before moving to Guwahati on January 13.
- Coca-Cola is organizing the global tour, which spans about 30 countries across 75 stops and more than 150 days ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
- Officials positioned the showcase as a youth-focused push aligned with programs such as Khelo India and the Fit India Movement.
- Fans and commentators criticized the celebratory events, pointing to Indian football’s governance and commercial problems, including the collapsed AIFF–FSDL deal, ISL pay cuts and a delayed league restart set for February 14.