Few objects in sport possess the mystique of the FIFA World Cup trophy. Lifted by legends, coveted by nations, celebrated by fans worldwide - and stolen twice - it is no ordinary prize.
A wild ride through history
The first iteration of the World Cup trophy was unveiled in 1930, when FIFA launched the inaugural tournament under the leadership of pioneering FIFA President Jules Rimet. Originally named Victory, it was later rebranded as the Jules Rimet Trophy, in honour of the man whose vision helped spawn the most celebrated competition in world football.
Designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur, the trophy depicted Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory, holding a chalice aloft. Crafted from gold-plated sterling silver and mounted on a lapis lazuli base, it quickly grew into one of the most recognisable accolades in world sport, with 1930 hosts Uruguay the maiden winners.
Over the decades that followed, the Jules Rimet Trophy evolved beyond a prize lifted by the likes of Brazil, England and Italy. It became a wandering relic of history.
During World War II, Italian football official Ottorino Barassi hid the trophy in a shoe box beneath his bed in Rome to prevent it from falling into Nazi hands.
Years later, just months before the start of the 1966 World Cup in England, the priceless football treasure was stolen during a public exhibition. In an unexpected but welcome conclusion to one of the game's most famous off-pitch escapades, it was eventually discovered by a dog named Pickles - wrapped in newspaper, beneath a garden hedge in South London.
A new trophy to unite the world
Brazil took permanent ownership of the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1970, after becoming the first nation to win the World Cup three times. However, there was another twist in the tale in 1983 when the trophy was pilfered from the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation in Rio de Janeiro. Unlike the 1966 incident, there was no canine saviour. The trophy was never recovered and is widely believed to have been smelted.
By then, FIFA had already ushered in a bold new design for the modern era of the World Cup. Created by Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga, the latter-day version is 36 centimetres tall and cast in 18-carat gold. Its design - two human figures triumphantly lifting Planet Earth - beautifully captures football's global, unifying spirit.
West Germany were the first team to lift the freshly minted accolade in 1974, before being dethroned by host nation Argentina four years later. Brazil, Germany and Italy have since added to their tallies, while France and Spain have claimed the prize for the first time.
This summer, La Albiceleste will aim to join Germany and Italy on four tournament titles - one behind record champions Brazil - as they defend their 2022 crown at the hotly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Some 48 teams will vie for the trophy - more than ever before.
Pure prestige
Unlike its predecessor, the modern World Cup Trophy is not awarded permanently to any nation. Champions get their hands on the original during the post-match award ceremony, before being presented with a gold-plated replica - the FIFA World Cup Winners' Trophy - to keep.
One notable replica was gifted to Nelson Mandela ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa - the only time an individual has ever received an official version. Even touching the original is a rare privilege, reserved for a select group that includes heads of state, FIFA officials and former World Cup winners.
Today, the World Cup Trophy stands as football's ultimate symbol of glory, immortality and pride. From Pele and Diego Maradona to Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi, the sight of national team captains hoisting the inimitable gold prize into the night sky will forever be one of the most iconic images in world sport.
- Source: Fifa
