The FIFA World Cup Trophy: History, Design, and the Search for Gold

There are very few objects in sport that carry the allure of the World Cup trophy.

The almost untouchable trophy isn’t just for everyone; it’s strictly for players who have earned the right to conquer the world's biggest tournament, while heads of state and select FIFA staff members are permitted to touch the crown jewel. We take a look back at the history of the two World Cup trophies awarded, starting in 1930, the tournament's inaugural year, with the Jules Rimet Trophy.

After retiring the original crown jewel, FIFA manufactured a new symbol for soccer in 1974, which is the current trophy we see handed out every quadrennial.

The Original Prize: The Jules Rimet Trophy (1930–1970)

The lustrous World Cup that exists today was not awarded to the winning nation claiming soccer glory between 1930 and 1970. The Jules Rimet Trophy was the original prize, named after Jules Rimet, a French football administrator, but better known for serving as FIFA’s president between 1921 and 1954. Rimet, the visionary he was, launched the World Cup believing the sport could unite nations after the upheaval of World War I. 

Born in Rodez, in South-West France, French sculptor Abel Lafleur designed the Jules Rimet Trophy. The design was inspired by Nike, the Ancient Greek goddess of victory. Made of gold-plated sterling silver, the slim, elegant trophy stood about 35 cm tall and weighed around 8.4 lbs. The most recognizable part of the trophy is the Greek Goddess standing upright with her wings spread, holding a cup above her head.

Originally called “Victory,” it was renamed the Jules Rimet trophy in 1946 to honor the man who created the World Cup.

Remarkably, soccer’s ultimate prize survived World War II, being hidden in a shoebox. The trophy was feared to be seized by Nazi forces during the war, so Italian football official Ottorino Barassi discreetly removed the trophy from a bank vault in Rome and kept it under his bed for years, untouched. 

Another twist in the lore of the Jules Rimet cup, just months before the 1966 World Cup in England, the trophy was shockingly stolen in London. It looked bleak that the trophy would ever be recovered, even with all hands on deck for police presence to locate it. With a glimmer of luck, a dog named Pickles became a national hero while going for his usual stroll. Pickles and his owner, David Corbett, were walking in South London when the mixed-breed collie sniffed out a mysterious newspaper-wrapped package under a hedge. Miraculously, the trophy was found, and the nation's temper cooled after catching their collective breath. 

At the time, FIFA stated that any nation that won the World Cup three times would get to keep the trophy. In 1970, the Seleção secured its third title, ensuring the trophy would remain permanently on Brazilian soil. 

Sadly, like all good things, the Jules Rimet trophy came to an end. The award was stolen from the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. There was no hero like Pickles this time around, as the trophy was sadly never recovered. It was later concluded that it had likely been melted down and sold for gold. 

The Current Icon: The FIFA World Cup Trophy (1974–Present)

After Brazil preserved the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1970, FIFA decided to redesign it. Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga was the mastermind who created the new showpiece treasure. The artwork is accompanied by 18-carat gold, measuring 36.8 cm and weighing only 13.6 lbs.

While it’s made of solid 18-carat gold, the trophy is hollow inside because, if it were solid gold, it would weigh over 150 lbs, making it almost impossible for players to lift, especially after a grueling triumph. Since 1974 to this year's edition of the tournament, a lot of things in the world have changed, but a few constants remain the same. From the meaning and the form of the trophy, like all previous World Cups, it will be the focal point once again when the final is played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

To catch the full roadmap of how the current iconic trophy will be claimed by a nation, check out the full FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule.

The "Winner’s Replica" vs. The Original

When a captain lifts the trophy on the world’s biggest stage, they’re raising one of the most iconic trophies in all of sport, but eventually the original trophy returns to FIFA's home base in Zurich, Switzerland.

After the celebrations and appearances, the trophy is swiftly returned due to its irreplaceable history and to avoid any mishaps, as the previous trophy was stolen twice, making the original a high security priority. The replica trophy, though it doesn’t match the original's specs, still looks nearly identical. Since 1974, the winning nations have kept the gold-plated bronze replica permanently on display at their federation headquarters.

The interesting part of the trophy is that the countries are immortalized in history; since 1974, each nation has been engraved in order of victory. 

The 2026 Branding Milestone: A Historic "First"

The 2026 World Cup has tweaked some formats and ideas leading up to this summer, most notably behind the scenes, the use of the trophy.

For the first time, different from previous editions, the official logo features a photographic image of the World Cup Trophy, not an illustrated version. Before the tournaments, 2014 Brazil, 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar, the trophy had an artistic vision with abstract shapes, but never the literal photograph, unlike the 2026 version.

In addition to the historic first, the rallying slogan anchoring the tournament is “WE ARE 26.” The campaign banner “WE ARE 26” not only symbolizes the hosting year but also the 26 cities along with stadiums that will host the World Cup, as well as 26 squad members per nation.

The Trophy’s Journey to North America 2026

Those who are lucky enough to attend the World Cup will embark on an expedition across North America through the three hosting nations, giving fans a glimpse of the holy grail of soccer.

Throughout the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, the trophy will make pit stops across the host cities, with the pinnacle of the tour coming to a halt on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, where the trophy will be presented to a winning nation in front of over a billion viewers who will be watching the final on their screens from afar. Please refer to our guide on where to watch FIFA World Cup to see which nation will be etched in history forever.