World Cup begins national tour at host country

The World Cup trophy began a 5,000-km trip taking in 21 towns and cities around Germany yesterday.

The trophy, which was designed from a sculpture by Silvio Gazzaniga and awarded for the first time in 1974, arrived in Germany on Monday after a world tour encompassing 31 cities.

The tour started in Freiburg yesterday and will run until May 26 in Hamburg. The tournament begins on June 9 in Munich and the trophy will be presented to the captain of the winning team in the final in Berlin's Olympiastadion on July 9.

The original Jules Rimet trophy was taken home by Brazil when they won the tournament for the third time in 1970.