Football’s Golden Dream Comes to Town as FIFA World Cup Trophy Makes Historic Stop

Guwahati: Football fever gripped the city as the FIFA World Cup Trophy gleamed under the floodlights of the ACA Barsapara Stadium. After a 12-year absence from Indian soil, the most coveted prize in world football returned — and for the first time, it was unveiled in Assam, transforming a Coke Studio concert into a moment in the country’s sporting history.The unveiling carried both prestige and emotion. Assam’s minister for sports and youth welfare, Nandita Garlosa, joined Gilberto Silva — Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning midfielder — to reveal the trophy before a roaring crowd on Tuesday night. With this, Guwahati became only the second Indian city after Delhi to host the iconic symbol as part of the global FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, ahead of the 2026 tournament.Calling it “a truly once-in-a-lifetime moment,” Garlosa said the trophy’s arrival represented more than celebration. “The northeast has always embraced football with unmatched passion. Today, that love is being rekindled in the hearts of a new generation,” she said.Silva, reflecting on lifting the trophy in Yokohama in 2002, compared the experience to holding one’s child for the first time — “an intensely emotional and cathartic moment.” He urged young footballers in attendance to pursue the sport with passion, discipline, and belief.As the trophy shimmered on stage, waves of cheers rolled through the stadium. Phones lit up the night sky, chants of favourite teams echoed from the stands, and many fans stood in quiet awe — absorbing a rare moment when Guwahati brushed against football’s golden dream.Beyond the stadium, the celebration spilt over into the streets. Young players turned pavements into impromptu pitches, juggling footballs and flaunting tricks that mirrored their aspirations. Fans travelled from across Assam for a glimpse of the trophy.City resident Mayank Khemka called the moment unforgettable. “Seeing the World Cup trophy in person is a dream come true. Hopefully, one day, India will qualify for the tournament. It would be incredible to watch our team compete with the world’s best,” he added.Echoing the sentiment, another enthusiast, Dhrubajyoti Bora, said, “I hope to see India at the World Cup someday. This trophy represents not just a memento, but a legacy.”For others, the experience felt surreal. “I’ve only seen the trophy on television all my life. Seeing it in front of me feels unreal,” said Ranjan Das, a student from Nalbari. Imran Ali summed up the emotion of the evening: “For football lovers in Assam, this is huge. When you see the World Cup Trophy this close, you start believing that every dream is possible.”