By Every four years, people all over the world stop to watch one special moment. A team captain lifts the FIFA World Cup Trophy high in the air while his teammates cheer and celebrate around him. This golden trophy is one of the most famous prizes in the world, and almost everyone who loves football recognizes it the moment they see it.
But there is a fun and surprising story behind this trophy that most people don’t know about. It includes a real theft, a smart dog, a melted-down mystery, and a brand new design made by a talented artist. Let’s look at seven cool facts that make this trophy even more interesting than it already looks.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy’s Story Began With the Jules Rimet Trophy
The first World Cup trophy was not the gold cup we see today. It was called the Jules Rimet Trophy, named after the FIFA President who helped start the very first World Cup back in 1930. This trophy was the beginning of what would later grow into football’s biggest and most exciting event.
It was made of silver covered in gold, with a blue stone called lapis lazuli at the bottom. The trophy showed a picture of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, standing tall. This trophy was given to the winning team after every World Cup final, all the way until 1970, when something big happened to change its story.
Quick facts about the Jules Rimet Trophy:
- Made of silver covered in gold
- Had a blue stone base
- Showed Nike, the goddess of victory
- Used from 1930 to 1970
- Stopped being used after Brazil won three times
The Original Trophy Was Stolen Once and Found by a Dog
In 1966, just a few months before the World Cup was about to start in England, someone stole the Jules Rimet Trophy from a public display in London. People were shocked, and football fans across the country worried that the famous trophy might be gone forever.
But seven days later, something amazing happened. A black and white dog named Pickles was out for a walk when he found the trophy wrapped in old newspaper under a bush. This strange and lucky discovery became one of the most talked-about stories in World Cup history.
Brazil Won It Forever, Then It Was Stolen Forever
In 1970, Brazil made history by winning the World Cup for the third time. Because of this huge achievement, FIFA gave them a special reward and let them keep the real trophy forever, an honor no other team had earned before.
Brazil proudly displayed the trophy in their football office in Rio de Janeiro for many years. But in 1983, disaster struck again when someone broke in and stole it. This time, the trophy was never found, and most experts believe it was melted down and lost forever.
A New Trophy Had to Be Designed From Scratch
After the old trophy disappeared, FIFA knew they needed a brand new one for future tournaments. They reached out to talented artists from many different countries and asked them to send in their best design ideas for the world to see.
In total, 53 different designs were carefully reviewed before FIFA finally chose a winner. An Italian artist named Silvio Gazzaniga created the design that everyone loved, showing two human figures holding up the whole world together. This became the new FIFA World Cup Trophy, first used in 1974, and the very same one still lifted today, including at the fifa world cup 2026 trophy ceremony.
The Current Trophy Is Made of Solid Gold
This newer trophy is made of real, solid 18-karat gold, with a green stone called malachite at the bottom to give it extra style. It stands about 36.8 centimetres tall and weighs more than 6 kilograms, which is actually heavier than a bowling ball most people use.
Experts say the fifa world cup trophy costs around $713,000 just to make, but to football fans, its value goes far beyond money. Every winning team’s name is carefully carved into the bottom of the trophy, slowly building a long and proud list of World Cup champions over the years.
Key facts about the current FIFA World Cup Trophy:
- Made of solid 18-karat gold
- Has a green malachite base
- Stands 36.8 centimetres tall
- Weighs about 6.175 kilograms
- Cost around $713,000 to make
- Designed by Silvio Gazzaniga
- First used in 1974
Winners Don’t Even Get to Keep the Real One
Here’s a fun surprise that catches most fans off guard. The winning team only gets to hold the real trophy for a short time, right during the celebration on the field after the big final match. As soon as the celebration ends, FIFA quietly takes the real trophy back.
Instead of the original, the winning team is given a fifa world cup trophy replica to keep forever. It looks exactly the same as the real one, but it is only gold-plated instead of solid gold. This is also the reason why any fifa world cup replica trophy you might see in a shop window is never the true, original trophy.
Argentina Is the Current Champion Holding the Trophy
After a thrilling win against France in the 2022 World Cup final, Argentina became the newest champions of the world. The real trophy now lives safely inside the FIFA Museum in Zurich, where it stays most of the time, protected and on display for visitors to admire.
It only leaves the museum for special events, including official fifa world cup trophy tour tickets occasions, where fans get a rare chance to see it up close in person. Every few years, a brand new team gets the exciting chance to win it, and whether your favorite team is just starting out or fighting in the final match, this golden trophy remains the biggest prize in all of football.
Final Thoughts
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is so much more than just a shiny gold cup sitting on a shelf. It carries a story full of theft, mystery, a clever dog, and many proud champions from around the world. Every single World Cup adds one more exciting chapter to its long and amazing history.
If you enjoyed learning these fun facts, check out more World Cup guides on buffstreams to learn everything you need to know about the exciting road to the next big final.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FIFA World Cup Trophy made of?
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is made of solid 18-karat gold with a malachite base. It stands 36.8 centimetres tall and weighs around 6.175 kilograms.
Do World Cup winners keep the real trophy?
No, winners only hold the real trophy during the celebration. They are given a fifa world cup trophy replica to keep, while the original stays with FIFA.
What happened to the original World Cup trophy?
The original Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen from Brazil in 1983 and was never recovered. Most experts believe it melted down.
Who designed the current FIFA World Cup Trophy?
The current trophy was designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga in 1970, chosen from 53 different design submissions.
Who currently holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy?
Argentina currently holds the trophy after winning the 2022 World Cup final against France. It is kept at the FIFA Museum in Zurich.