The FIFA World Cup Trophy is the prize presented to the winners of the quadrennial FIFA World Cup. It is one of the most recognisable awards in sport, representing global football supremacy. Over the tournament's history two different trophies have been used: the Jules Rimet Trophy from 1930 to 1970, and the current FIFA World Cup Trophy that has been awarded since 1974.

Design and specifications

The present trophy was created in the early 1970s by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga and produced by the Bertoni workshop. Officially composed of 18-carat gold, it stands approximately 36.8 centimetres high and weighs about 6.1 kilograms. Its form depicts two stylised human figures lifting the Earth, a design intended to signify the global nature of the competition. The original trophy is retained by FIFA and never permanently handed to a winning nation; winning teams receive a gold-plated replica.

History and predecessor

From the tournament's inception in 1930 until 1970 the winners received the trophy later known as the Jules Rimet Trophy. That piece, originally named 'Victory', was renamed after the long-serving FIFA president Jules Rimet. Under the rules at the time, any nation winning three tournaments could keep the trophy permanently; after Brazil's third triumph in 1970 they were awarded the Jules Rimet Trophy outright. The original was famously stolen in Brazil in 1983 and never recovered; it is widely believed to have been melted down.

Ceremony, custody and replicas

Today the trophy is presented to the winning team's captain immediately after the final match and is displayed in FIFA custody between tournaments. Teams and federations typically receive replicas and commemorative versions to mark their victories. The trophy's image appears on promotional material and memorabilia, reinforcing its role as a symbol of football excellence and global sporting achievement.

Notable facts and distinctions

  • The trophy is associated with the wider organisation of global football under FIFA, which oversees the competition and maintains the original.
  • During the tournament era of the Jules Rimet Trophy, the cup was the subject of theft and dramatic recoveries, including the high-profile 1966 incident in England and the later disappearance in Brazil.
  • Information about the World Cup Trophy’s design and traditions can be found in official descriptions and museum displays; for general context see resources about the World Cup trophy.

As an emblem of national achievement and sporting history, the FIFA World Cup Trophy transcends its physical form: it embodies decades of footballing drama, cultural moments and the aspirations of millions of players and fans worldwide.