Is the World Cup trophy real gold? Everything to know about the iconic sculpture
- The current FIFA World Cup trophy was designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga after Brazil permanently secured the original Jules Rimet trophy in 1970, prompting the need for a new design for subsequent tournaments.
- Gazzaniga’s iconic design features two athletic figures spiralling upwards from the base, supporting an orb that represents the Earth, symbolising the athlete’s arduous struggle, movement, and ultimate moment of victory.
- The predecessor, the Jules Rimet Trophy, had a dramatic history, being stolen twice: first in 1966 in England, where it was recovered by a dog named Pickles, and again in 1983 from Brazil, after which it was never found and is widely believed to have been melted down.
- Crafted from 18-carat gold, standing 36 centimetres tall with a malachite base, the original trophy is not permanently retained by winning nations; instead, they receive a gold-plated replica, with the authentic prize returning to FIFA’s Swiss headquarters between World Cups.
- Gazzaniga’s design, which stood out among over 50 submissions due to his detailed three-dimensional model, has been used for 14 World Cups since its debut in 1974 and is confirmed for continued use until at least the 2038 tournament, solidifying its status as a global icon.
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