Rabat – Every four years, the winning captain lifts the iconic FIFA World Cup trophy in front of millions of fans. Yet despite the celebrations, the original trophy never becomes the property of the world champions.
Under FIFA regulations, the original FIFA World Cup Trophy remains in the governing body’s possession at all times. After the post-match presentation and on-field celebrations, it is returned to FIFA, while the winning national association is awarded the FIFA World Cup Winners’ Trophy, an official gold-plated replica that it can keep permanently.
A rule born after Brazil’s dominance
The policy dates back to the 1970 World Cup. Under the previous system, the nation that won the tournament three times earned permanent ownership of the Jules Rimet Trophy.
Brazil achieved that milestone by defeating Italy 4-1 in the 1970 final, becoming three-time world champions and taking the original Jules Rimet Trophy home for good. FIFA then commissioned an entirely new trophy and introduced a rule stating that no country would ever permanently own the original again.
Two trophies, one World Cup
The World Cup has featured two different trophies throughout its history.
The Jules Rimet Trophy, designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur, was presented from the inaugural tournament in 1930 through the 1970 edition. It featured the Greek goddess Nike holding a cup.
Beginning with the 1974 World Cup, FIFA introduced the current trophy, created by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga. Standing 36.8 centimeters tall and weighing 6.175 kilograms, it is made from 18-carat solid gold with a base featuring two bands of green malachite. Its design depicts two human figures lifting the Earth in celebration of football’s greatest achievement.
Why FIFA keeps the original
FIFA’s decision is driven by both tradition and security.
The original Jules Rimet Trophy was famously stolen twice. It disappeared before the 1966 World Cup in England before being recovered by a dog named Pickles a week later. In 1983, after Brazil had taken permanent ownership, the trophy was stolen again from the Brazilian Football Confederation’s headquarters and has never been recovered.
Those incidents reinforced FIFA’s determination to protect the current trophy. Since 2006, the original has been used only during the official trophy presentation before being returned immediately to FIFA’s custody in Zurich.
Along with the commemorative replica, World Cup champions also receive a substantial financial reward. The winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup earned €16 million in prize money.
