The world is gearing up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, as the Trophy Tour begins in Rio de Janeiro and Coca-Cola reveals its global anthem by David Correy. Whether you call it football or soccer, get into the spirit this Throwback Thursday (#TBT) as we highlight Coke's tributes to the "beautiful game" through the years.



1931 Iberia football team

This is the 1931 Iberian football team, winners of the Coca-Cola Cup held that year in the Canary Islands. Over the years, many different competitions have held the name "Coca-Cola Cup." But in 1998, we launched Copa Coca-Cola in Mexico, a special program held to reach young athletes around the world. Read one student's account of how Copa Coca-Cola changed his life here.





1947 Egyptian Coke ad

This football-themed poster ran in Egypt in 1947. Today we're covering the transformations happening in the region with stories like this one on youth entrepreneurship in the Middle East, which spotlights the American University in Cairo's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program.





1954

This ad, which ran in 1954, would prove successful enough to be adapted for countries worldwide, thanks to the sport's global appeal. Also check out our previous #TBT feature on American football, where we highlighted some of Coca-Cola's earliest sports ads ever.





2010 World Cup Trophy Tour plane

This was the aircraft that carried the World Cup during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. The 2014 Trophy Tour just kicked off this month in Rio de Janeiro - check out our coverage of the event, read our infographic about the Tour, or, if you're feeling nostalgic, see the route through Africa this plane took the last time around.





Special 2010 World Cup Coke bottles

These special football-shaped Coke bottles were sold during the 2010 World Cup. Interestingly enough, the bottles in this specific photo were sold in Japan - which, in related sports news, was just awarded the 2020 Olympics. Check out our coverage of the announcement here.