Every four years, 32 teams battle to win the World Cup and hold the trophy in their hands, arguably one of the most coveted prizes in sports. You might not be aware, however, that there have been two designs of the trophy used during the history of the FIFA World Cup: the Jules Rimet Trophy and the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

 

The Jules Rimet Trophy

Used from 1930 to 1970, the Jules Rimet Trophy was originally called “Victory” and was commonly as the World Cup or Coupe du Monde, but it was renamed in 1946 after the first FIFA President Jules Rimet, who was in charge of organizing the first ever tournament. Designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur, the trophy showcased the Goddess of Victory holding a vessel in her hands and was made out of gold-plated sterling silver with a base of lapis lazuli stones.

 

This trophy had quite an exciting history! During World War II, the vice-President of FIFA and President of Italy’s football federation, Ottorino Barassi, took the trophy from the bank in order to protect it from being taken by the Nazis, and hid it in a shoebox under his bed during the war. It was not until 1946 when the war was over that he gave the precious treasure back to FIFA and used again in the 1950 World Cup.

 

The trophy’s exciting story continued in 1966, when it was stolen while on an exhibition in London. It was found a few days later wrapped in newspaper under some bushes in South London by none other than a collie named Pickles, who became a national celebrity along with his owner, David Corbett. A few years later in 1970, a second theft took place in Brazil, when the country’s third victory in the tournament entitled them to keep the trophy. On December 20, 1983, the Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen from display at the Brazilian Football Association in Rio de Janeiro and never seen again, thus it is believed it was melted and sold. A replica was ordered and made by Kodak and given back to the Brazilian Football Association.

 

FIFA World Cup Trophy

After 1970 FIFA needed a new cup after retiring the Jules Rimet Trophy, which prompted the association to ask for proposals. They received submissions from fifty-three sculptors from seven countries, but Silvio Gazzaniga’s design was selected for the new World Cup trophy. The coveted prize was manufactured by Bertoni, Milano (a Milan-based trophy and medal manufacturer) and depicts two humans holding the earth on their heads, is constructed of 18-karat solid gold, is 36.8 cm tall and weighs 6.175 kg. The base that consists of two layers of malachite has the words “FIFA World Cup” engraved and following every World Cup the name of the winning team and the year is engraved in the national language of the winning country, as well. The design allows for only 17 names to be engraved, from 1974 to 2038, thus in the World Cup of 2042 a new trophy will have to be used. Fun fact: according to a Martyn Poliakoff, a Nottingham University chemistry professor, the trophy is probably hollow as a solid trophy would weigh around 70kg!

 

As to be expected after the story of the Jules Rimet Trophy, FIFA changed the rules regarding guardianship of the cup and the winning teams don’t get to keep it anymore. The winning association is given a gold-plated bronze replica, while the original remains in FIFA’s possession, at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich, Switzerland, only leaving its place for the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, the Final Draw for the next World Cup, and the opening and final games of the tournament.

 

FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour

FIFA, together with Coca-Cola, has taken the trophy around the world before the more recent tournaments to give fans the opportunity to see the cup in person. This year is no exception, and by the World Cup Qatar 2022 the tour will have taken the trophy to 51 countries, including all 32 that qualified for the tournament.

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