FIFA World Cup trophy makes way through OKC in international tour
Soccer fans got to see the FIFA World Cup trophy up close in Oklahoma City as part of its international tour ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
One of the most prestigious trophies in sports is making its way through Oklahoma City this week. As part of an international tour, the FIFA World Cup trophy will be in OKC for 24 hours between April 22 and 23, and fans can get a close look at the 18-karat gold trophy free of charge at Scissortail Park. "We have a lot of soccer fans in Oklahoma City," OKC Mayor David Holt said.
"I would say this is a sport that's really growing in influence all across the United States and certainly that's true in OKC. " And while Holt was excited to be near the roughly 13-pound award, he could not touch it. In fact, the list of people who are allowed to touch the trophy is incredibly limited.
Which is why the tour brought along someone who could. To touch the trophy, you must either be FIFA President Gianni Infantino or a previous winner of the tournament. Marco Materazzi earned that right in the 2006 World Cup when he helped Italy lift the trophy, and the Italian was the one showing the trophy around on Wednesday morning.
Materazzi took his time to thank Holt for his investments in the sport in Oklahoma City. Holt said the city is en route to becoming a soccer hotbed. "I'm very excited to be here," Materazzi said.