The FIFA World Cup is one of the most celebrated sporting spectacles on the planet, with the next edition set to take place in Mexico, Canada, and the United States in just four months. While the tournament brings unmatched excitement, the trophy itself carries a fascinating history filled with little-known stories.
Contrary to popular belief, the trophy seen today is not the original. When the World Cup began in 1930, winners were awarded the Jules Rimet Trophy, a gold sculpture depicting the Greek goddess Nike holding a cup above her head.
After Brazil claimed its third World Cup title in 1970, FIFA handed the Jules Rimet Trophy to them permanently. This decision forced FIFA to commission a brand-new trophy ahead of the 1974 World Cup.
The Trophy That Was Hidden, Lost, and Stolen
The Jules Rimet Trophy’s history is filled with drama. During World War II, fears of Nazi confiscation led FIFA officials to hide the trophy in an unexpected location.
“It was kept inside a shoebox under a bed,” according to historical accounts, with then FIFA vice-president Ottorino Barassi secretly removing it from a Roman bank vault to protect it.
The trophy was also stolen twice. In 1966, it vanished during an exhibition in England before being discovered a week later by a dog named Pickles under a tree in South London. In 1983, after Brazil had been granted permanent ownership, the trophy was stolen again from the Brazilian Football Confederation — and this time, it was never recovered.
Why Winners No Longer Keep the Original Trophy
Until 2006, World Cup champions were allowed to retain the original trophy until the next tournament. Today, that tradition has changed.
Instead, winners receive a gold-plated bronze replica, officially known as the FIFA World Cup Winners’ Trophy. The original prize is now stored securely at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich, only leaving its vault for official tours, tournament draws, and the World Cup itself.
A Design Chosen From 53 Submissions
Following the retirement of the Jules Rimet Trophy, FIFA invited sculptors from seven countries to submit designs. Out of 53 entries, the winning concept came from Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga.
The current trophy features dynamic spiraling lines rising from the base and wrapping around a globe, symbolising unity. The figures of two athletes lifting the world represent the pinnacle of football success.
A New Trophy May Be Needed Soon
Since 1974, the names of winning nations and years have been engraved on the base of the trophy. Argentina, champions in 2022, were the latest addition — and space is now running out.
With room remaining for only four more winners, the base is expected to be completely filled by 2038. This means FIFA may need to unveil a new World Cup trophy for the 2042 tournament.
Even though that moment is still years away, the story of football’s most famous prize continues to evolve — just like the game itself.
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