FIFA World Cup Trophy ambassador role to inspire next generation of footballers, tour organizers say

Former Barcelona defender and Brazilian international Juliano Haus Belletti will accompany the FIFA World Cup trophy to Kenya on its two day tour on 26^th-27^th .

Tour organizers Cocacola say the role of Belletti is meant to spur interest in the sport in Africa.

“We are very excited to not only host the FIFA World Cup™ trophy but also one of the greatest footballers of all time and a football legend who played for key teams in Europe. Juliano is no doubt among the world-renowned players and football fans in Kenya can brace themselves for an experience of a lifetime when the trophy lands on the 26th of this month” Said Isabel Kariuki, Frontline Marketing Director, East and Central Africa Franchise.

“By bringing Juliano Belletti here together with the FIFA World Cup trophy, we are hoping to inspire the next generation of footballers and hope that they can learn from his experience” She added.

Juliano is the current assistant manager for Cruzeiro, a Brazilian second tier club based in Belo Horizonte. He is a former player of Villareal, Barcelona and Chelsea where he played as a right back  between 2002 and 2010 winning several honours.

Juliano began his football career in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A with Cruzeiro, São Paulo and Atlético Mineiro.

He is credited for his only goal for Barcelona that won them the UEFA Champions League in 2006 against Arsenal  after which he then returned to Brazil, winning the national league with Fluminense in 2010.

He earned 23 caps for Brazil from 2001 to 2005, scoring once. He was part of the team that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup and competed at the 2001 Copa América and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup.

The Brazillian soccer legend will be expected to participate in various activities during the two days he will be in Kenya before departing with the trophy on 28th May.

What to know about the trophy tour…….

The first phase of the FIFA World Cup™ trophy tour kicked off in Dubai  and is expected to cover 22 countries between May and June, four of which are in Africa.

The African leg of the tour kicked off in Ethiopia where the trophy was on display for two days between May 24th and 25th.

The trophy will be in Kenya on May 26th and 27th before moving to South Africa where football fans will get to view it from May 28th to 30th. It will then return to East Africa this time around in Tanzania on May 31st and June 1st.

The public will have a chance to view the trophy on May 27th at Kenyatta International Convention Centre, KICC

Coca-Cola is giving away 3000 tickets to consumers who are participating in the ongoing FIFA World Cup™ Buy and Win promotion where they will get a viewing experience of the trophy in Nairobi.

Football fans and other members of the public who will be interested to view the trophy will be required to purchase a 1.25Litre or 2Litres of Coke, Sprite or Fanta at the entrance of KICC to be able to access the venue to view the trophy.