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Did you know the World Cup trophy didn’t always look the way it does today




 

Few trophies in sports carry the weight and mystique of the FIFA World Cup trophy. But what many fans don't realize is that the iconic golden prize we see lifted today is actually the second trophy in the tournament's history, and its journey to becoming the most coveted object in sports is filled with twists, thefts, and a permanent rule change .


The Original: The Jules Rimet Trophy


The story begins in 1930 with the inaugural World Cup. The original trophy, named "Victory," was later renamed the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1946 to honor the FIFA president who spearheaded the tournament's creation . Designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur, it was a stunning piece: a gold-plated sterling silver figure of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, holding an octagonal cup above her head . It stood 35cm tall and weighed 3.8kg .


The first trophy lived a dramatic life. During World War II, it was hidden in a shoebox under the bed of an Italian FIFA official to prevent it from falling into Nazi hands . In 1966, just months before the tournament in England, it was stolen during a public exhibition. A massive police search was launched, and the trophy was eventually found wrapped in newspaper in a South London garden by a mongrel dog named Pickles .


The Jules Rimet Trophy had a unique rule: any team that won the World Cup three times would earn permanent ownership of the trophy . In 1970, Brazil became the first nation to achieve this feat, and the original trophy was rightfully awarded to them to keep forever .


A New Era: The FIFA World Cup Trophy


But the story doesn't end there. After Brazil took the Jules Rimet Trophy, a new one was needed. FIFA launched a competition, and Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga's design was chosen from 53 submissions . This new FIFA World Cup Trophy, introduced in 1974, is the one we recognize today .


Gazzaniga’s trophy is a masterpiece of modern design. It depicts two stylized human figures holding the world aloft, representing victory and the global spirit of football . It stands 36.8cm tall and weighs 6.175kg, made of solid 18-carat gold with a base of two semi-precious malachite bands .


Unlike its predecessor, the current trophy cannot be won outright. FIFA regulations state it will remain in their possession permanently . The winning team is presented with the original during the medal ceremony, but it is quickly taken back by FIFA . Instead, the champions receive a gold-plated replica to keep, which is identical in every way except it's not solid gold .


Since 1974, the names of the winning nations have been engraved on the base of the trophy, creating a permanent record of football's greatest champions . It's a prize so exclusive that even touching it is prohibited for most people, with only players, heads of state, and select legends officially allowed to do so .


So, the trophy has a history as fascinating as the tournament itself. While the Jules Rimet Trophy was lost to theft and its fate unknown, its replacement has become an icon of the sport, representing not just victory, but the enduring global passion for football.

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