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Goal in sight Coca Cola brings the World Cup Trophy home to India
MUMBAI: Football fever is about to fizz up in India quite literally. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 drawing closer, The Coca-cola Company is bringing the game’s ultimate symbol straight to Indian fans, as the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-cola lands in New Delhi and Guwahati this January.
From 10 to 13 January 2026, fans will get a rare chance to see the original FIFA World Cup Trophy up close, as part of a global tour building anticipation for what is set to be the biggest World Cup yet. The 2026 edition will span three host nations Canada, Mexico and the United States with more teams, more matches and more spectacle than ever before.
The Indian leg of the tour opens in New Delhi with a ceremonial FIFA Charter Landing on 10 January, marking the Trophy’s arrival with national pride and fanfare. On 11 January, the Trophy will be showcased at the NSIC Grounds in Okhla, where select fans will participate in an exclusive viewing experience. The celebration then moves east to Guwahati, where the Trophy will be displayed as part of a dedicated FIFA World Cup Trophy Exhibition.
Globally, the Trophy Tour will travel across 30 FIFA Member Associations, covering 75 stops and more than 150 days. Over five editions, the tour has already visited 182 of FIFA’s 211 member nations making this one of the most wide-reaching sporting showcases in the world.
Beyond the silverware, the India tour is designed as a full-scale fan festival. Visitors can expect football-themed engagement zones, freestyle showcases by professional freestylers, and culinary pop-ups celebrating regional Indian flavours, all culminating in Guwahati during the vibrant Magh Bihu festivities, blending football with culture, sound and food.
The tour will also carry a sustainability message. In India, it will be linked to Coca-cola’s #MaidaanSaaf initiative, which focuses on responsible waste management at high-footfall events. Both Delhi and Guwahati venues will feature staffed recycling stations, trained volunteers, temporary material recovery hubs and on-ground guidance aimed at minimising landfill waste and demonstrating cleaner ways to host large public gatherings.
Coca-cola’s association with FIFA dates back nearly five decades, with the brand serving as an official FIFA World Cup sponsor since 1978. Through its exclusive rights to the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-cola, the company continues to turn a global sporting spectacle into local, on-ground moments giving fans the chance to stand face-to-face with football’s most coveted prize, well before the first whistle of 2026.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
