FIFA World Cup Trophy

FIFA World Cup Trophy
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Awarded for	Winning the FIFA World Cup
Presenter	Fédération Internationale de Football Association
Year	1974
Holder	Argentina (2022)

FIFA World Cup Trophy. The trophy awarded to the champions of the FIFA World Cup is one of the most iconic symbols in global sport. First presented at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, it replaced the previous Jules Rimet Trophy and has been held by every winning nation since. Crafted from solid 18-karat gold, it depicts two human figures holding up the Earth.

History

The commission for a new trophy was initiated by FIFA following Brazil's third World Cup victory in 1970, which granted them permanent possession of the Jules Rimet Trophy. An international design competition was organized, attracting submissions from sculptors in Italy, Switzerland, West Germany, and other nations. The winning design was created by Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga of the Milanese company GDE Bertoni. The new trophy was first awarded to Franz Beckenbauer and the West German squad after their victory on home soil in Munich. Since then, it has been lifted by captains from Argentina, Italy, France, and Spain.

Design

Silvio Gazzaniga described his creation as depicting "two athletes at the stirring moment of victory." The trophy, standing 36.8 centimeters tall and weighing 6.175 kilograms, is constructed from 5 kilograms of 18-karat gold with a base of two layers of malachite. The dynamic spiral form features two human figures, interpreted as football players, supporting a representation of the world. The design deliberately avoids national symbols to represent the universal nature of the tournament. The base is wide enough to be engraved with the names of seventeen champion nations, a task performed by skilled artisans at GDE Bertoni.

Winners and engraving

The names of the winning countries and the year of their triumph are engraved on the base of the trophy, a tradition that began after the 1978 victory of Argentina. The engravings are performed in the language of the winning nation, such as "Deutschland" for Germany's wins or "Brasil" for Brazil's subsequent victories. Notable captains to have received it include Diego Maradona in 1986, Zinedine Zidane in 1998, and Lionel Messi in 2022. Unlike its predecessor, the winning nation does not keep the original trophy permanently; it remains the property of FIFA and the champions receive a gold-plated bronze replica.

Theft and security

Despite stringent measures, the trophy has been targeted by thieves. In 1983, it was stolen from the former Headquarters of FIFA in Zürich alongside the Jules Rimet Trophy; both were later recovered. A more elaborate heist occurred in 2006 in Berlin, where a replica on display at the Gropius Bau exhibition was taken, though the original was secure. Security protocols are now extremely rigorous, involving specialized transport cases, armed guards, and decoy convoys when the trophy travels for global promotional tours like the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour. Its movements are closely monitored by FIFA and local law enforcement agencies.

Replicas and display

The champions receive a gold-plated bronze replica, officially called the "World Cup Winners' Trophy," which they are permitted to keep. The original is stored in a high-security vault at FIFA's headquarters. For public display, FIFA authorizes the use of exact replicas, one of which is typically exhibited at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zürich. Another famous replica, used for public events, was previously displayed at Madame Tussauds in London. The trophy is also a central feature of the opening ceremony of each FIFA World Cup, presented on a pedestal before the final match at iconic stadiums like Estádio do Maracanã or Lusail Stadium. Category:FIFA World Cup Category:Sports trophies and awards Category:Association football trophies and awards