Five unknown facts about FIFA World Cup Trophy

The current FIFA World Cup Trophy was created in 1974.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached its absolute pinnacle, with the tournament now narrowing down to its final four nations. As heavyweights prepare to face off in highly anticipated semi-final clashes, each nation carries the same ultimate dream: lifting the iconic FIFA World Cup trophy.

The trophy represents more than the joy of being the world champions, as it means being a part of the long and illustrious history of the sport. For decades, the world’s greatest players have created some of the greatest histories to secure the title, with the 2026 edition arriving with nothing less than that motive.

On that note, here are five unknown facts about the FIFA World Cup trophy.

Five Facts About the FIFA World Cup Trophy

1. Trophy housed at FIFA Museum

The original FIFA World Cup Trophy is permanently safeguarded at the monumental FIFA Museum located in Zurich, Switzerland. While the trophy is displayed and presented to the World Cup winners as well as on international tours, it ultimately returns to the high-security museum. This is to ensure the safety and preservation of sports history, keeping the original title safe from damage.

2. Precise Weight and Gold Composition of the Trophy

The official trophy weighs exactly 6.142 kilograms, making it an instrumental title for any captain to lift. Out of its total weight, an astonishing 5.092 kilograms consists of solid 18-karat pure gold. This is combined with its dual bands of green malachite at the base, which represents the colour of the football trophy, giving the trophy a majestic layering, making it one of the most valuable awards in sports’ history.

3. The trophy debuted in 1974

The current design of the trophy was first introduced and used during the 1974 FIFA World Cup tournament held in West Germany. Created by legendary Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, this design officially replaced the historic Jules Rimet Trophy, which Brazil kept permanently after winning three titles. It features the iconic image of two human figures holding up the Earth, displaying the unifying spirit of the game.

4. The Winners recieve Individual Replica

To maintain the safety of the iconic trophy, the original gold trophy is never kept by the winning nation, with it collected from the tournament winners after the post-match celebrations. Instead, each FIFA World Cup winner receives their own individual, custom-made gold-plated bronze replica to keep permanently in their home country. The measure was introduced after the legendary Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen from Brazil and never recovered.

5. The bottom disk is added after every edition

The base of the trophy undergoes a careful transformation following the conclusion of every World Cup. A brand-new bottom disk is carefully produced after each tournament, with it holding the name of the newest world champion. The continuous engraving ensures that each winner is permanently recorded directly onto the trophy itself, adding them to the long, storied history.

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