FIFA's coveted World Cup trophy is in Tonga for the first time as part of a Coca Cola global tour to inspire and encourage youths in the sport, in a lead up to the 2018 World Cup in Russia in June.

The trophy which arrived on a private aircraft from Macau for a one day visit was welcomed by the Deputy Prime Minister Hon Semisi Sika and officials on January 31, at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall.

Hon Sika said this is a historic moment for Tonga as football is widely regarded in the world as a beautiful game and the opinion of many, the most popular sport in the world.

“I hope that by witnessing this priceless icon will inspire Tongans to embrace football and encourage our Tongan youth players to achieve and strive to reach the World Cup in the years to come.”

Former French football player Christian Karembeu from New Caledonia, who accompanied the trophy said it's great to be back in Oceania, where he belongs and grew up.

He said Tongans deserve to see this piece of history of football the iconic, unique FIFA World Cup trophy in a global tour.

“We are going to inspire our youths to play football, promote it and implement the values of our sport which is respect and fair play without discriminations to build our future and nations.“

At the same time, Coca Cola Amatil Pacific Head of Sales Lawrence Tikaram said it is their hope that this historic occasion will encourage Tongans and other Pacific Islanders to engage in this sport, seeing the many opportunities and possibilities football has in store locally and globally.

Local football fans and young players also had a chance to take pictures with the trophy, which is made of solid gold and weighs 6.142kg created as a composition of two human figures holding the globe above them.

It departs Tonga for the Solomon Islands on February 1.

The tour started in September last year in Russia and will visit 51 countries across six continents.