For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup Trophy will travel the world in a whirlwind tour before the XVIIIth FIFA World Cup starts on 09th June 2006 in Munich, Germany; covering 31 cities ( 4 cities in Africa continent, 6 cities in South America, 5 cities in Central & North America, 8 cities in Asia and Australia, and 8 cities in Europe).

The debut tour kicked off in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, on 7 January 2006 and will end on 10 April 2006 in Rome, Italy. The global tour will be followed by a national tour through Germany, the host nation of the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals.

The historic global journey marks, to date, the most extensive exhibition of the authentic FIFA World Cup Trophy, a prize that, in the past, has rarely been seen in public.

The current FIFA World Cup Trophy cannot be won outright, as the regulations state that it shall remain FIFA's own possession. The FIFA World Cup winners retain it only for a specified period and are then awarded a replica, Gold-plated rather than solid Gold.

Handed back by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) - the Cup's current holders and five-times winners - in order to undergo the renovation work, the world's most famous Trophy, after a brief stop at the Final Draw (held in Leipzig on 09th dec 2005), will begin a tour of 31 cities in 29 countries over five continents. The tour will last three months, beginning on 7 January in Africa.

The FIFA World Cup trophy will be the star of the show, and those lucky enough to get their hands on a ticket to one of the 31 tour stops will definitely begin queuing up at the event hours in advance. Amid local entertainment and a carnival atmosphere, ticket holders will be ushered into a main hall, handed 3D glasses and shown into a darkened theatre.

First up on the programme, fans will be treated to a high-octane video exploring the majesty of past tournaments, great goals and all the energy and passion of the greatest sporting spectacle on earth.

After a few seconds for viewers to catch their breath, the 3D feature, exploring the almost mythical birth of the Trophy itself, will wow the audience with its tremendous effects and distilled football fever. From the heavens and molten beginnings, the Trophy emerges among the stars and is given a fictional 'birth' befitting its vaunted status in the real world.

After the stunning proceedings, the high point of the day awaits. As the locals are led out of the darkened theatre they arrive to find the official Trophy on display itself. The FIFA World Cup Trophy is 36.8 centimetres (14.5 inches) high, 6,175 grammes (13.61 pounds) in weight, and made of solid, 18-carat Gold. The base contains two layers of semi-precious malachite while the bottom of the trophy bears the engraved year and name of each finals winner since 1974.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy itself will not be able to be touched by those viewing it - that honour is the reserve of the world's best footballers every four years at the FIFA World Cup finals.

FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour schedule The nations in pink are participating/playing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany.   7 January    Accra, Ghana 11 January    Lagos, Nigeria 14 January    Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 17 January    Johannesburg, South Africa 20 January    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 22 January    São Paulo, Brazil 25 January    Mar del Plata, Argentina 28 January    Quito, Ecuador 31 January    Bogotá, Colombia   4 February  Asunción, Paraguay   8 February  San José, Costa Rica 11 February  Mexico City, Mexico 13 February  Monterrey, Mexico 17 February  Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 20 February  Los Angeles, USA 25 February  Tokyo, Japan 28 February  Seoul, South Korea   3 March      Singapore, Singapore   6 March      Jakarta, Indonesia   9 March      Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 12 March      Bangkok, Thailand 15 March      Beijing, China 17 March      Sydney, Australia 20 March      Paris, France 23 March      London, England 26 March      Zurich, Switzerland 29 March      Rostov, Russia   1 April       Kiev, Ukraine   4 April       Lisbon, Portugal   7 April       Athens, Greece 10 April       Rome, Italy