Well over 700m people watched Fabio Cannavaro lift it for his country in 2006. Along with an Oscar, it is arguably the most recognisable award in the world. And now the people of Lincoln are being offered the special chance to come face-to-face with football’s biggest prize — the World Cup trophy.
The cup is heading to Lincoln as part of Coca Cola’s ‘Trophy Tour’ which sees it being paraded in every continent in the run up to this summer’s tournament in South Africa. When the World Cup arrives in town, supporters of the Imps will have the opportunity to get their photograph taken with it.
To be in with a chance, fans need to be season ticket holders or purchase tickets for the home match against Hereford United on Friday, March 12th. They will then be required to enter a competition on the official Lincoln City website, the details of which are yet to be revealed.
The winners of that contest will then be invited to a special event prior to kick off where they will have the opportunity to be photographed with the 18-carat gold cup. Then, during half-time, more supporters will have the chance to do so. They will be invited onto the pitch at Sincil Bank and accompanied by England legend Martin Peters — a member of the England squad that won the World Cup back in 1966.
The trophy began its 225-day around-the-world trip back in September as it was flown from the FIFA headquarters in Switzerland to its first stop, Egypt. From there, the World Cup was showcased in towns and cities throughout Africa, eventually making its way to South Africa in time for the 2010 World Cup draw.
The spectacle, which weighs over 6000 grams, then made its way through South East Asia, Oceania and South America. It is currently on exhibition in Central America and will fly from there straight to London where it will be displayed in Earls Court under the watchful eyes of England luminary Wayne Rooney.
Lincoln is the next place on the whirlwind tour, and the Imps will be hoping to take inspiration from the trophy’s presence as the club aims to pull itself away from the League Two drop zone.