It is the most coveted prize in sports, and there is a lot more to the World Cup trophy than its golden shine. The current trophy has been awarded since 1974 and is made of solid 18-karat gold. Here is its history, design, and a few facts that surprise even big fans.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Current trophy | Since 1974 |
| Material | 18-karat gold |
| Height | About 36.8 cm |
| Weight | About 6.1 kg |
| Original | Jules Rimet Trophy |
Table of Contents
What the World Cup trophy is made of
The trophy stands about 36.8 cm tall and weighs roughly 6.1 kg.
It is crafted from 18-karat gold, with two bands of malachite around the base.
The design shows two human figures holding up the Earth, a sculpture by Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga.
Winners don’t actually keep it
Here is the fact that surprises people: champions do not get to keep the real trophy.
After the celebrations, FIFA takes it back and the winning nation receives a gold-plated replica.
The original is kept secure and only comes out for special occasions and the next tournament.
The original Jules Rimet Trophy
Before 1974, the prize was the Jules Rimet Trophy, named after the FIFA president who launched the World Cup.
Brazil won it permanently in 1970 after a third title, as the original rules allowed.
That trophy was later stolen and never recovered, one of soccer’s enduring mysteries.
The famous trophy theft
Trophy drama is nothing new. The Jules Rimet Trophy was famously stolen in England in 1966, then found days later by a dog named Pickles.
Decades later, after passing to Brazil, it was stolen again in 1983 and never seen since.
It is a reminder that this little gold statue carries enormous emotional and historical weight.
Trophy timeline
1930 — First awarded (Jules Rimet Trophy).
1966 — Stolen and recovered in England.
1970 — Brazil keeps it permanently.
1974 — The current FIFA World Cup Trophy debuts.
2026 — Lifted again July 19 at MetLife.
Where the trophy goes in 2026
The champion will hoist the replica at MetLife Stadium after the final.
For everything around that night, see our final guide and the predictions on who might lift it.
More on our World Cup 2026 hub.
The Trophy Tour
Before each World Cup, the trophy goes on a global tour so fans can see it up close.
It visits dozens of countries, drawing huge crowds eager for a photo with the famous gold statue.
It is one of the few times the public gets near the real thing.
Replicas and the winners’ medal
Because winners keep only a replica, the genuine trophy stays under tight security year-round.
Players also receive winners’ medals, the personal keepsakes they treasure for life.
The replica handed to champions is gold-plated rather than solid gold, but it still gleams on the podium.
Trophy fun facts
The current trophy cannot be won outright, no matter how many titles a nation collects.
Only the names of winning nations are engraved on the base, a list that fills up slowly over decades.
It will be lifted again on July 19; see our final guide for the big night.
What lifting the trophy really means
For players, the trophy is the summit of an entire career, often a lifelong dream realized in a single moment.
That iconic image of a captain hoisting the gold statue, confetti raining down, is etched into football history every four years.
It also carries national weight. A World Cup win can lift the mood of an entire country and turn its players into permanent legends.
That emotional charge is exactly why the trophy is guarded so carefully and why its rare public appearances on the global tour draw such enormous crowds.
Related World Cup 2026 guides
Keep exploring our World Cup 2026 coverage:
Frequently asked questions
What is the World Cup trophy made of?
18-karat solid gold, with two malachite bands, standing about 36.8 cm tall.
Do World Cup winners keep the trophy?
No. They receive a gold-plated replica; FIFA keeps the original.
What was the original World Cup trophy called?
The Jules Rimet Trophy, used from 1930 until 1970.
Was the World Cup trophy ever stolen?
Yes, the Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen in 1966 (and recovered) and again in 1983 (never found).
Who designed the current trophy?
Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga; it has been awarded since 1974.
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