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2022 FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY TOUR™ BY COCA-COLA ARRIVES IN KUWAIT

Fifa world cup™ original trophy unveiled by fifa legend gilberto silva at sheikh jaber al-ahmed cultural centre.

The FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy was unveiled in Kuwait City today for the first time ever, giving Kuwait fans the chance to experience football's most coveted prize, as the fifth FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola continues its journey to 51 countries and territories.

Sheikh Ahmad Al Yusuf Al Sabah, President, Kuwait Football Association , FIFA Ambassador Gilberto Silva together with Khalid Al Muzaire , CEO, Refreshment Trading Company (RTC); Coca‑Cola’s bottling partner in Kuwait, came together at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre for a special VIP press event to reveal the most prized Trophy in the world and celebrate the real magic of the world’s largest, most anticipated sporting event – the FIFA World Cup 2022™.  Also in attendance was Mr. Salah Eissa Al Qenaei , General Secretary of the Kuwait Football Association and international team player, Bader Al Mutawaa .

Khalid Al Muzaire said: “We are excited to help bring the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola to the State of Kuwait and to give fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy.  Like when in 1982, the Kuwait national team became the first from the Gulf to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, we hope this event will inspire a spirit of hope and optimism for a bright future for the youth of the country, who we at Coca‑Cola are keen to support.  We express our sincere thanks and gratitude to FIFA and the Kuwait Football Association for their partnership in making today’s event a success and we look forward to seeing the impact it has on everyone who is here today.”

Sheikh Ahmad Al Yusuf Al Sabah, President, Kuwait Football Association said: “In the world of sports, no symbol stands stronger than the FIFA World Cup Trophy™. It is an honor to host the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola in Kuwait - it provides an incredible opportunity for football and sports fans across Kuwait to experience this iconic symbol in person. This is the first time that FIFA World Cup Original Trophy™ arrives in our country and it will undoubtedly be source of inspiration for our existing and future football stars.”

Kuwait’s passion for football is well-known, and the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre was a fitting location to continue the global Tour. Coca‑Cola invited fans to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most iconic symbol in football and experience the Real Magic of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™. 

The FIFA World Cup TM Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola will visit 51 countries and territories, bringing Coca‑Cola and FIFA one step closer to visiting all 211 Football Nations by 2030. For the first time ever, the tour will visit all 32 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying countries, inspiring fans across the world through exclusive consumer experiences.

Silva said: “I know first-hand how lifting the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy can excite millions of fans across the world.  It is an honor to be here in Kuwait and I’ve seen first-hand the passion for football across the Middle East.  With 51 stops across the world, I’ve no doubt the Tour by Coca‑Cola will inspire and engage an unprecedented number of fans and future rising stars from this region.”

As well as Kuwait, the Tour will make several debut stops across the Middle East, visiting UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Lebanon. The Tour will visit Saudi Arabia as the penultimate destination, before reaching the host country Qatar .

The Coca‑Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1976 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ since 1978.  Coca‑Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup™ since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels.

Get involved by posting your own FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour™ memories by using the hashtag #BelievingIsMagic 

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World Cup trophy displayed in Kuwait

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By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: For the first time ever in Kuwait, the FIFA World Cup original trophy was unveiled in Kuwait City on Monday, giving Kuwait fans a chance to experience football's most coveted prize, as the fifth FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola continues its journey to 51 countries and territories.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yusef Al Sabah, President of Kuwait Football Association, FIFA Ambassador Gilberto Silva and Khalid Al-Muzaire, CEO, Refreshment Trading Company (RTC), Coca-Cola's bottling partner in Kuwait, came together at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre for a special VIP press event to reveal the most prized trophy in the world and celebrate the real magic of the world's largest, most anticipated sporting event - the FIFA World Cup 2022. Also in attendance was Salah Eissa Al-Qenaei, General Secretary of Kuwait Football Association and international team player Bader Al-Mutawaa.

Khalid Al-Muzaire said: "We are excited to help bring the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola to the State of Kuwait to give fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the original FIFA World Cup Trophy. Like when in 1982, the Kuwait national team became the first from the Gulf to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, we hope this event will inspire a spirit of hope and optimism for a bright future for the youth of the country, who we at Coca-Cola are keen to support. We express our sincere thanks and gratitude to FIFA and the Kuwait Football Association for their partnership in making today's event a success and we look forward to seeing the impact it has on everyone who is here today."

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yusef Al-Sabah said: "In the world of sports, no symbol stands stronger than the FIFA World Cup Trophy. It is an honor to host the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola in Kuwait - it provides an incredible opportunity for football and sports fans across Kuwait to experience this iconic symbol in person. This is the first time that FIFA World Cup Original Trophy arrives in our country, and it will undoubtedly be source of inspiration for our existing and future football stars."

Bader Al-Mutawaa expressed his happiness for having the trophy in Kuwait. "I feel honored to be one of those welcoming the FIFA World Cup original trophy during its tour in Kuwait along with Kuwait's veteran football stars on its arrival at the airport. It was a dream to have the trophy in Kuwait and this dream came true. We hope that the coming World Cup will be the best edition, as Qatar has hosted many international championships and events before, and all were successful and always received positive feedback, so we expect the same for the World Cup. We wish them success," he said.

Gilberto Silva noted that he knows firsthand how lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy can excite millions of fans across the world. "It is an honor to be here in Kuwait. I've seen firsthand the passion for football across the Middle East. With 51 stops across the world, I've no doubt the Tour by Coca-Cola will inspire and engage an unprecedented number of fans and future rising stars from this region," he said.

"This tour of the trophy gives an opportunity for people to see the trophy closely. I'm glad to be in Kuwait due to their achievements in football. There are many fans of Brazilian football here. I hope this trophy will inspire future generations," added Silva. Kuwait's passion for football is well-known, and the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre was a fitting location to continue the global tour.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will visit 51 countries and territories, bringing Coca-Cola and FIFA one step closer to visiting all 211 Football Nations by 2030. For the first time ever, the tour will visit all 32 FIFA World Cup qualifying countries, inspiring fans across the world through exclusive consumer experiences. As well as Kuwait, the tour will make several debut stops across the Middle East, visiting UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Lebanon. The tour will visit Saudi Arabia as the penultimate destination, before reaching the host country Qatar.

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Kuwait: FIFA World Cup Trophy arrives in Kuwait as part of its international tour

Ahead of the much-anticipated first-ever FIFA World Cup in the Gulf later this year, the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola reached Kuwait today, Monday May 16th, as part of its world tour. Kuwait is the third stop in the Trophy’s tour in the GCC before the kick start of the World Cup Qatar 2022 in November.

The cup was reveled to the media and selected invitees at the Sheikh Jaber Cultural Center by the former Brazilian football player, Gilberto Silva in presence of Director General of the Kuwait Sports Authority, Hammoud Al-Falaitha Al-Shammari, Kuwait Football Association President Sheikh Ahmad Yousef Al Sabah, Veteran Kuwaiti footballer Bader al-Mutawa and several Ambassadors.

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Several former players of the Kuwaiti National Football Team also attended the reception. During the press briefing, Gilberto Silva expressed his happiness to be in Kuwait, and said that it is a nice feeling to lift the World Cup again after carrying it in 2003.

Yousef Al Sabah thanked the FIFA and Coca-Cola for bringing the original trophy to Kuwait as the third host country.

Earlier the day, the Kuwait Football Association (KFA) President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah and General Secretary Salah Al-Qenaei received the world cup at Kuwait International Airport.

Later the day, His Highness Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received the FIFA delegation as part of the Kuwait tour.

His Highness praised the tireless efforts made by Qatar to organize this world championship, expressing his pride in the unprecedented capabilities offered by the sisterly State, and wishing them success in organizing such the global tournament. The meeting was attended by Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and other top officials.

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ICC World Cup trophy tour lights up Kuwait and Bahrain

The tour's journey continued to Bahrain, where the Trophy visited Bahrain Bay, World Trade Centre, and the King Fahd Causeway - a symbolic link bridging aspirations.

Kuwait & Bahrain: The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 trophy tour continued its remarkable journey, spreading the thrill of cricket and uniting cricket enthusiasts in Kuwait and Bahrain.

The tour’s recent stops in these Middle Eastern nations were marked by grand unveilings, iconic locations, and exuberant fan activations, reflecting the universal appeal of cricket and the excitement building up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

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The tour’s first day witnessed an exclusive invite-only event at Al-Hashemi-II, the largest dhow ever built. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy was unveiled in the presence of Haider Farman, President of Kuwait Cricket Club (KCC), and Imran Khwaja, Deputy Chair of ICC .

The unveiling was followed by captivating photo opportunities, symbolizing the start of an enchanting journey. The tour continued on a series of spectacular events across iconic Kuwait locations, including Kuwait Towers, Parliament, Al Hamra Tower, and the Mall – Kuwait’s tallest building. These landmarks provided the perfect backdrop for the tour, celebrating cricket’s towering presence and global reach. The Kuwait leg concluded with an electrifying fan activation event at Sulaibiya Cricket Ground, drawing around 10,000 fans. Engagements galore created a carnival-like atmosphere, uniting fans under the banner of cricket’s unifying spirit.

The tour’s journey continued to Bahrain, where the Trophy visited Bahrain Bay, World Trade Centre, and the King Fahd Causeway – a symbolic link bridging aspirations.

The evening witnessed a prestigious unveiling event, graced by Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa along with cricket luminaries like Imran Khwaja and Iqbal Sikander from ICC, and other esteemed dignitaries. The Trophy also visited Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, cementing cricket’s place on Bahrain’s cultural landscape.

The tour commenced with a Trophy display at Dana Mall, further igniting cricket enthusiasm. The evening saw an open bus ride from the city to Bahrain International Circuit, providing fans a unique opportunity to celebrate their love for cricket against a stunning backdrop. The fans’ excitement was palpable as they posed with the Trophy, underscoring the tour’s ability to spark joy and camaraderie.

The tour’s success in these Kuwait and Bahrain signifies the universal resonance of cricket, as fans eagerly await the grand spectacle of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where nations will vie for cricket’s ultimate glory.

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ICC World Cup 2023 Trophy Tour Lights Up Kuwait And Bahrain

Cricket World Cup Trophy: The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 trophy tour continued its remarkable journey, spreading the thrill of cricket and uniting cricket enthusiasts in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Cricket World Cup Trophy:  The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 trophy tour continued its remarkable journey, spreading the thrill of cricket and uniting cricket enthusiasts in Kuwait and Bahrain.

The tour's recent stops in these Middle Eastern nations were marked by grand unveilings, iconic locations, and exuberant fan activations, reflecting the universal appeal of cricket and the excitement building up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

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The tour's first day witnessed an exclusive invite-only event at Al-Hashemi-II, the largest dhow ever built. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy was unveiled in the presence of Haider Farman, President of Kuwait Cricket Club (KCC), and Imran Khwaja, Deputy Chair of ICC.

The unveiling was followed by captivating photo opportunities, symbolizing the start of an enchanting journey. The tour continued on a series of spectacular events across iconic Kuwait locations, including Kuwait Towers, Parliament, Al Hamra Tower, and the Mall - Kuwait's tallest building. These landmarks provided the perfect backdrop for the tour, celebrating cricket's towering presence and global reach. The Kuwait leg concluded with an electrifying fan activation event at Sulaibiya Cricket Ground, drawing around 10,000 fans. Engagements galore created a carnival-like atmosphere, uniting fans under the banner of cricket's unifying spirit.

The tour's journey continued to Bahrain, where the Trophy visited Bahrain Bay, World Trade Centre, and the King Fahd Causeway - a symbolic link bridging aspirations.

The evening witnessed a prestigious unveiling event, graced by Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa along with cricket luminaries like Imran Khwaja and Iqbal Sikander from ICC, and other esteemed dignitaries. The Trophy also visited Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, cementing cricket's place on Bahrain's cultural landscape.

The tour commenced with a Trophy display at Dana Mall, further igniting cricket enthusiasm. The evening saw an open bus ride from the city to Bahrain International Circuit, providing fans a unique opportunity to celebrate their love for cricket against a stunning backdrop. The fans' excitement was palpable as they posed with the Trophy, underscoring the tour's ability to spark joy and camaraderie.

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The tour's success in these Kuwait and Bahrain signifies the universal resonance of cricket, as fans eagerly await the grand spectacle of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, where nations will vie for cricket's ultimate glory.

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ICC World Cup trophy tour lights up Kuwait and Bahrain

•   Sat, Aug 19 2023 03:15:23 PM

Kuwait & Bahrain, Aug 19 (IANS): The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 trophy tour continued its remarkable journey, spreading the thrill of cricket and uniting cricket enthusiasts in Kuwait and Bahrain.

The tour's recent stops in these Middle Eastern nations were marked by grand unveilings, iconic locations, and exuberant fan activations, reflecting the universal appeal of cricket and the excitement building up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The tour's first day witnessed an exclusive invite-only event at Al-Hashemi-II, the largest dhow ever built. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy was unveiled in the presence of Haider Farman, President of Kuwait Cricket Club (KCC), and Imran Khwaja, Deputy Chair of ICC.

The unveiling was followed by captivating photo opportunities, symbolizing the start of an enchanting journey. The tour continued on a series of spectacular events across iconic Kuwait locations, including Kuwait Towers, Parliament, Al Hamra Tower, and the Mall - Kuwait's tallest building. These landmarks provided the perfect backdrop for the tour, celebrating cricket's towering presence and global reach. The Kuwait leg concluded with an electrifying fan activation event at Sulaibiya Cricket Ground, drawing around 10,000 fans. Engagements galore created a carnival-like atmosphere, uniting fans under the banner of cricket's unifying spirit.

The tour's journey continued to Bahrain, where the Trophy visited Bahrain Bay, World Trade Centre, and the King Fahd Causeway - a symbolic link bridging aspirations.

The evening witnessed a prestigious unveiling event, graced by Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa along with cricket luminaries like Imran Khwaja and Iqbal Sikander from ICC, and other esteemed dignitaries. The Trophy also visited Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, cementing cricket's place on Bahrain's cultural landscape.

The tour commenced with a Trophy display at Dana Mall, further igniting cricket enthusiasm. The evening saw an open bus ride from the city to Bahrain International Circuit, providing fans a unique opportunity to celebrate their love for cricket against a stunning backdrop. The fans' excitement was palpable as they posed with the Trophy, underscoring the tour's ability to spark joy and camaraderie.

The tour's success in these Kuwait and Bahrain signifies the universal resonance of cricket, as fans eagerly await the grand spectacle of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, where nations will vie for cricket's ultimate glory.

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KUWAIT CITY - The FIFA World Cup trophy landed in Kuwait on Monday in the third stop of its tour, before the start of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup in November.

Accompanied by the former Brazilian national team star Gilberto Silva, the World Cup trophy was received by the Kuwait Football Association president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah and general secretary Salah Al-Qenaei and other officials.

Kuwait's crown prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah met with the FIFA delegation on Monday.

READ MORE:   FIFA aims to put rows behind it and focus on Qatar World Cup

During the meeting, the crown prince praised the tireless efforts made by Qatar to organize this world championship, expressing his pride in the unprecedented capabilities offered by Qatar, and wishing success in organizing the global tournament.  

Biggest ever ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 Trophy Tour goes into the stratosphere

• Images of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Trophy in space available here
• The space flight launches biggest ever ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour
• Trophy Tour aims to connect the iconic silverware with over one million fans as it tours 18 countries worldwide

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Trophy Tour has begun in spectacular style, launching 120,000 feet above the Earth, before landing in the largest cricket stadium in the world, India’s Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour 2023 has been launched on the grandest scale

The feat was achieved with the World Cup Trophy attached to a bespoke stratospheric balloon. The stunning shots of the famous silverware sitting on the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere were captured with 4K cameras. The balloon crossed more than 99.5% of the Earth’s atmosphere with the temperature of -65°C at the peak altitude.

The space flight sets the stage for the biggest ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour ever, counting down to the World Cup being played across India in October and November.

Through a varied programme of activations, the Trophy Tour aims to give one million fans the chance to connect with the prized silverware ahead of the highly anticipated global event, and will visit locations in 18 countries across five continents.

Embarking on its first full-scale global tour since 2019, the Trophy Tour will recreate the sense of occasion and carnival-like atmosphere synonymous with Cricket World Cups through a series of large-scale activations at some of the world’s most iconic destinations.

Fans can follow the progress of the Trophy Tour on its journey around the world at cricketworldcup.com .

In addition to visiting over 20 cities in India and other participating countries, the Trophy will also tour a number of emerging nations such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, Uganda, France, Italy and the United States, enabling new and existing fans to get a glimpse of world cricket’s ultimate prize.

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour is an important milestone in the countdown to what will be the biggest ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup ever. This Tour will see the iconic silverware meet heads of states, launch community initiatives and support cricket development programmes in addition to visiting some of the most iconic landmarks around the globe.

“Cricket has more than a billion fans and we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to get up close to this famous trophy that has been held aloft by some of the greatest legends of our sport.”

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said: “Cricket unites India like no other sport and excitement is building across the country as we prepare to host the 10 best teams in the world over six weeks of heart-stopping cricket.

“As we countdown to the World Cup, the Trophy Tour is a fantastic chance for fans to be part of the event wherever they are. The Tour will travel extensively across India and seek to inspire communities to share the excitement of cricket’s greatest spectacle, while providing an opportunity to showcase iconic venues, cities and landmarks throughout the country.”

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour Schedule

27 June – 14 July: India

15 – 16 July: New Zealand

17 – 18 July: Australia

19 – 21 July: Papua New Guinea

22 – 24 July: India

25 – 27 July: USA

28 – 30 July: West Indies

31 July – 4 August: Pakistan

5 – 6 August: Sri Lanka

7 – 9 August: Bangladesh

10 – 11 August: Kuwait

12 – 13 August: Bahrain

14 – 15 August: India

16 – 18 August: Italy

19 – 20 August: France

21 – 24 August: England

25 – 26 August: Malaysia

27 – 28 August: Uganda

29 – 30 August: Nigeria

31 August – 3 September: South Africa

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The World Cup trophy is on display during a FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour event in Kuwait City, Kuwait, May 16, 2022.(Photo: Xinhua)

Brazilian former soccer player Gilberto Silva (2nd L) displays the World Cup trophy during a FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour event in Kuwait City, Kuwait, May 16, 2022.(Photo: Xinhua)

The World Cup trophy is on display during a FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour event as the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup counts down 200 days to kick-off in Doha, Qatar, May 5, 2022.(Photo: Xinhua)

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Huge response for historic ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy tour in Kuwait; Registration continues

Officials received an overwhelming response for the registration to witness the historic event of hosting the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy tour in Kuwait and to be given a lifetime opportunity to take a photo with the world cup. According to Kuwait Cricket officials, 1000's of cricket fans in Kuwait had already registered to witness the world cup trophy at Sulaibiya Cricket Ground on August 11th.

The registration is still going on at https://www.indiansinkuwait.com/campaign/worldcup/ for the free entry and will close on 5th August.

In a historic and unprecedented move, Kuwait Cricket Club, the official governing body for the game of cricket in Kuwait affiliated with the Public Authority of Sport & Kuwait Olympic Committee, in association with the International Cricket Council will be hosting the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy tour on the 10th and 11th of August 2023. Cricket fans will get an opportunity to witness the cup and take a photo with the trophy on August 11th from 5:00 pm onwards at Sulaibiya Cricket Ground.

"This monumental moment will be etched in the history books forever for our beloved country Kuwait and serves as an ideal opportunity for corporations and multi-national brands alike to become a consistent and integral part of Kuwait Cricket Development Programs whereby the growth and welfare of our national players need to be further secured, enhanced, and supported in such a way where all national players are able to grow from semi-professionals to full-time professional cricketers," KCC Director General Mr. Sajid Ashraf said.

The 2023 edition of the Trophy Tour organized by the ICC will be the biggest by far, giving the fans a chance to connect with the coveted piece of silverware in various countries and cities around the globe. The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Trophy will travel to 18 countries around the world, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, USA, Nigeria, Uganda, France, Italy, the United States of America and the host country India.

Indiansinkuwait.com is the official community partner of KCC for registrations for the ICC World Cup Trophy Tour in Kuwait. To witness the historic event and to have an opportunity to take a photo with the world cup, you can register here at https://www.indiansinkuwait.com/campaign/worldcup/ for the free entry. Registration is a must for entry.

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England, Australia, India or Pakistan: Who will win the T20 Cricket World Cup 2024?

New Zealand, South Africa can make the last 4 in a tournament without clear favourites

Did you watch Chris Gayle launch the T20 World Cup trophy tour? The former West Indian star, who calls himself the Universe Boss, did it in style atop New York’s Empire State Building, illuminated with the tournament promo. Gayle was at his irrepressible best and proclaimed the West Indies would win the tournament.

I didn’t expect him to say India. Or England. Or Australia. When Gayle picked the West Indies, he spoke for all the Caribbean islanders. When the Americas host the biennial event, it’s only natural that every West Indian expects their team to win.

You can’t fault them. The West Indies have won it twice; they are one of only two teams to do that (England were the other). So the island nations believe they can win again, especially in their backyard. That’s passion.

Why the West Indies are fragile

Let’s be realistic. Can Rovman Powell lead the West Indies to their third title? Can they quell the challenge of champions England, Australia, India, Pakistan and New Zealand? They have to if they are to be crowned champions.

The West Indians are a champion side. But I don’t see them winning the cup. More so after their unconvincing win over Papua New Guinea . No disrespect to the Associate nation’s cricketing credentials; it was a game the Caribbeans should have won with plenty to spare. Instead they scrambled to a five-wicket win with only a over to spare, and that too with the last recognised pair of batsmen at the crease.

The match reflected the West Indian shortcomings in recent years, frailties that deprived them of spots in the main draw of two World Cups (T20 and ODI). Consistency hasn’t been their forte, and that will trip them again. Sadly, this time, it will be in front of the home crowd.

Who are the strong contenders?

So who will win the World Cup? There are plenty of strong contenders. England are favourites to defend the 2022 title. That’s not without reason. Take a look at the squad, led by the ebullient Jos Buttler. It’s a bunch of fearless batters, backed by top-class bowlers — ample resources to win the cup a third time.

Australia, don’t ever write them off. They have enough talent and resilience to bounce back from slow starts to win the final in a hurry. I saw that happen in Dubai in the 2021 T20 World Cup and again in the 2023 ODI World Cup. This is Mitchell Marsh’s maiden outing as captain in a major tournament, but his team is packed with experienced campaigners and a few new faces. I think they have the team to win.

India will fancy their chances after their near brush with glory in the ODI World Cup. Rohit Sharma leads a team that is heavy on batting and a bit light on bowling. Can they outbat the rest? Will the slow bowlers strangle rival batsmen? Well, they will make the semifinals. After that, it’s anybody’s guess.

Can South Africa beat pressure?

Pakistan’s pace bowling machine.

How about Pakistan ? They can make the semis solely on the strength of their bowling. It remains to be seen how effective their pace battery will be on the slow West Indian pitches. Their Achilles heel will be the middle-order batting, which has let them down in the past. If they can fix it, they could do better than the runners-up finish of 2022.

New Zealand shed the chokers’ tag with the 2021 World Test Championship victory. However, Kane Williamson’s team haven’t won any silverware in white-ball cricket, although they came close in the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup, losing in the finals. I expect the trophy to elude them this year too.

• Cricket goes global: T20 World Cup comes to the US and the West Indies
• ‘Party in the USA’ but Pakistan and India await for T20 co-hosts
• All the teams at the ICC men’s cricket World Cup 2024: England, India, Australia among favourites
• Eight players to watch in the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies and the USA
• Cricket in uncharted territory as T20 World Cup starts in Texas

South Africa are the chokers of international cricket, a label they have tried to shake off without success. This time too, they have a balanced side with a fine array of batsmen and a varied attack of pace and spin. That should make them favourites, but they are their worst enemies. Pressure gets to them. It could happen again.

I think England, Australia, India, and Pakistan can win. Who will walk away with the cup? I’m a bit wary of making predictions because they tend to be way off the mark, like the FIFA World Cup 2022 . But I did write that Australia could win the 2023 ODI World Cup since the law of averages could catch up with India. I got the winners of the 2024 Indian Premier League right .

Emboldened by that, I shall indulge in a spot of crystal-ball gazing. Looks like England and Australia will make the June 29 final, and Marsh will lift the cup at the Kensington Oval, Barbados. Sorry India.

Read: Explainer on T20 Cricket World Cup and schedule of league matches

@ShyamKris_

Shyam A. Krishna is Senior Associate Editor at Gulf News. He writes on health, travel and sport.

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FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Trophy Tour 2023 – The Route

The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Trophy Tour 2023 is on its journey to each of the 32 qualified countries – the largest FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Trophy Tour to date!

Special guests and famous faces will be supporting this Trophy Tour’s campaign, Going Beyond: with a mission to inspire, coach and spotlight future female football talent of all levels and backgrounds, building unprecedented global excitement and support ahead of the tournament’s kick-off in July.

As the Trophy travels the globe, more women and girls continue to participate in Skills Drills, a football skills social media challenge being led by Female Football Freestyle World Champion Lia Lewis, in collaboration with FIFA. Skills Drills are live across TikTok and Instagram, with Skills Trainer tutorial videos and other exclusive content also available here on FIFA+.

Find out if the Trophy is coming to your city below:

Tokyo, Japan, 25-26 February

Seoul, Korea Republic, 27 February

Manila, Philippines, 1-2 March

Hanoi , Vietnam,  4-5 March

Shanghai, China PR,  9-11 March

Rabat, Morocco, 20 March

Johannesburg, South Africa, 22-23 March 

Lusaka, Zambia, 24 March

Abuja, Nigeria, 26 March

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 29-30 March

Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1 April

Cali, Colombia, 3 April

San Jose, Costa Rica, 5 April

Panama City, Panama, 8 April

Saint Louis, USA, 11 April

New York City, USA, 12-13 April

Port-au-Prince TBC, Haiti, 15 April

Kingston, Jamaica, 17 April

Toronto, Canada, 19-20 April

Zurich, Switzerland, 29 April

Geneva, Switzerland, 1 May

Berlin, Germany , 2-3 May

Copenhagen, Denmark, 4 May

Gothenburg, Sweden, 6-7 May

Oslo, Norway, 8 May

Dublin, Republic of Ireland, 10 May

London, England, 13-14 May

Venice, Italy, 16 May

The Hague, Netherlands, 18 May 

Paris, France, 20-21 May

Madrid, Spain, 22 May

Lisbon, Portugal, 24 May

Auckland, New Zealand, 1-5 June

Sydney, Australia, 8-12 June   

Melbourne, Australia, 14-16 June

Hamilton, New Zealand, 17-20 June

Dunedin, New Zealand, 22-25 June

Brisbane, Australia, 28 June to 1 July

Adelaide, Australia, 2-4 July

Perth, Australia, 7-10 July

Wellington, New Zealand, 13-15 July

FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ - a binational tournament - recognises the unique stories and cultures of First Nations people in Australia, and Māori as Mana Whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand. In Australia, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and pay respect to Elders, past, present and future. In Aotearoa New Zealand, we acknowledge Māori as Tangata Whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi partners

India vs Kuwait: Historic FIFA World Cup third-round qualifying chance at stake in Chhetri's farewell match

• Anirudh Menon in Kolkata

India vs Kuwait, FIFA World Cup Qualifying third round fixture

06 June 2024, Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata

7.00 PM kickoff (telecast on Sports 18/Jio Cinema, live blog on espn.in)

India vs Kuwait LIVE: Updates from Sunil Chhetri's last game in the FIFA World Cup qualifier

The Big Picture

"This is the biggest game of my career," said Igor Stimac at the pre-match press conference of the crunch India vs Kuwait FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Coming from a man who finished third in the World Cup as a player, this was quite something, but Stimac has never been one to downplay things. Where Kuwait's coach Rui Bento had shown restraint in his pre-match presser and talked about how this was just another match, if an important one, the head coach of the Indian national team had gone all in.

"Although I'm foreigner in this country," he said, "today I'm proud to say I feel more Indian than many Indians and I will tell you honestly this is the biggest game altogether of my playing career and my coaching career. And the simple reason is this: when you have the chance to make one person happy and you do that, then you are a happy man. We have the chance to make 1.5 billion people happy tomorrow, and we need to do everything to make that happen."

The hyperbole aside, what Stimac said was echoed by captain Sunil Chhetri too. "This is huge. Once we win it, things will change," he said.

The match has been overshadowed completely by Chhetri's decision to retire from the national team after it -- once again underscoring how larger-than-life he has been for Indian football -- but both coach and captain were keen to drive home just how big this match was even without the 'farewell' narrative. They repeated it often, the prospect of playing the likes of Japan and Australia in the next round, emphasizing just how much this would mean to Indian football and you got the feeling the entire team is pumped up for this one. After all a win, and they are more or less assured passage through to the third round of World Cup qualifying.

Which might play into the hands of a slowly improving Kuwait team.

Equally passionate on the field, their recent matches have been tempestuous affairs but if the visiting team keep their calm, the multiple angles of pressure - a packed (and demanding) Salt Lake, Chhetri's farewell, the third round in touching distance - could wreak havoc with the Indian team's psyche. That tendency to crumble under pressure has been starkly visible, with India yet to register a win in their last six attempts. (Interestingly, their last win came against Thursday's opponents, Manvir Singh's late goal sealing a 1-0 win in Kuwait City.)

Kuwait are feeling the heat too: a proud footballing nation that's been performing poorly for years now, Bento has (given time) carefully sculpted them into a team that can threaten anyone on their day. Just ask the group's runaway leaders Qatar, who were given a fright on the last match day and required a 80th minute winner to eke out a 2-1 win.

India also have to counter the fact that their last two qualifiers went off rather horrendously. If a draw away to Afghanistan was borderline acceptable, the home loss was a gut punch that followed a depressingly familiar pattern - Chhetri scoring, and India caving once he left the field. The two results were a big dampener on the mood surrounding the national team, and while Chhetri's announcement will draw numbers in - on the field and on screens across - any sign of the lethargy that plagued the Afghanistan games and they could well turn against the team.

Kuwait may be bottom of the group but they're just a point behind India and Afghanistan, and their last two matches are against those very sides. With the other two having to face Qatar, Kuwait know their fate is almost surely in their own hands. This knowledge, plus Bento's astute coaching, make them a dangerous opponent for an Indian team looking to ride the Sunil Chhetri wave one final time.

Key Players

Mohammad Daham

The 24-year-old left winger made his debut at the SAFF Championship in India last year and has evolved rapidly to become one of his country's primary attacking threats. He was Kuwait's best player in that impressive display against Qatar, and not only for his well taken goal. He constantly threatened the flanks and played a big role in Kuwait out-shooting Qatar, and matching them for chances created.

With India's right the defensively weaker of the two flanks (unless Rahul Bheke is deployed at right back), Daham could be the key to unlocking India on home turf.

Please. There's only one Sunil Chhetri. Last match, big match, and his innate sense of coming in clutch when it matters most... and all eyes will be on Chhetri on Thursday. He remains India's most potent goal threat (he's scored 49% of all of India's goals over the past five years) and if he gets ticking, Kuwait's defence could have a big problem on their hands: especially when you consider Lallianzuala Chhangte's late season flourish domestically and his ability to combine well with Chhetri.

Concerns (and possible solutions)

Three matches over the course of the past 13 months, three losses. Kuwait have played well against India in most of these matches, but they've failed to take their chances and have been punished for momentary lapses at the back.

Their recent performances, though, have shown they're not the same team India faced in Bengaluru at the SAFF Championship, nor indeed the one they beat last November in these qualifiers. Daham's creativity could be the one ingredient that they seemed to so desperately miss in 2023.

Bench strength. 'Who after Chhetri' has now become a front-and-centre problem but it's been that for a while. If Stimac hooks Chhetri and perhaps a Lallianzuala Chhangte or a Manvir Singh, who's there to provide a threat off the bench? The coach said as much in the presser saying that in the last few games he got "nothing" from the bench... but also said that he's got a few different options this time around.

This include I-League (Inter Kashi) sensation Edmund Lalrindikarinka who could be the first player from the now second division of Indian football to play for the national team in five years.

Predicted XIs

Kuwait XI (4-1-4-1): Abdulghafoor (GK); Dousari, Hajiah, Enezi, Bormeya; Jabarah; Saleh, H. Harbi, F. Harbi, Daham; Nasser

India XI (4-2-3-1): Gurpreet (GK); Poojary, Bheke, Anwar, Subhasish; Jeakson, Suresh; Chhangte, Thapa, Manvir; Chhetri