The FIFA World Cup trophy is arguably the most recognizable and coveted prize in global sports. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup captivates fans across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, this iconic golden prize remains the ultimate symbol of soccer supremacy.
However, for the 2026 tournament, the trophy has taken on an unprecedented role in the event’s visual branding and cultural footprint.
Here is a complete breakdown of the World Cup trophy’s design, history, and its unique elements for 2026.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy Design, Weight, and Value of the Original Trophy
The current FIFA World Cup trophy was introduced in 1974. It replaced the original Jules Rimet Trophy, which was permanently awarded to Brazil in 1970 after their third World Cup victory.
The First award trophy of World Cup, the Jules Rimet Trophy was the original prize awarded from 1930 to 1970. It was permanently gifted to Brazil after their third tournament win but was stolen in 1983 and never recovered.
The current FIFA World Cup Trophy has been in use since 1974 and remains in FIFA’s permanent possession.
- The Designer: The trophy was created by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, who won an international open competition featuring 53 submissions. His design depicts two human figures triumphantly rising from a spiraling base to hold the Earth, serving as a universal symbol of athletes and victory.
- Dimensions and Weight: The prize stands 36.5 centimeters (14.4 to 14.5 inches) tall and weighs exactly 6.175 kilograms (roughly 13.6 pounds).
- Composition: It is cast in 18-carat gold, accounting for 5.0 kilograms of its total weight. Contrary to popular belief, the trophy is hollow; a solid gold sculpture of that size would weigh over 70 kilograms and be far too heavy for a player to lift.
- The Base: The bottom of the trophy consists of two bands of malachite, a striking green semi-precious stone. The underside of this 13-centimeter diameter base contains the engraved names of every nation that has won the tournament since 1974.
- Financial Value: The raw gold content alone is worth approximately $400,000, while experts value the trophy as a whole at roughly $20 million.
A Trophy-First Approach to the 2026 Logo
For the first time in FIFA history, the actual physical FIFA World Cup Trophy was placed directly into the official emblem of the tournament.
Historically, World Cup logos have relied on illustrations, graphic designs, or local mascots to represent the event. For 2026, the Toronto-based agency Public Address designed a logo that anchors a photorealistic, 3D rendering of the gold and malachite trophy on top of a bold, flat “26”.
According to FIFA, the “26” is constructed from 48 modular squares and circles, representing the tournament’s expanded 48-team format.
This modular system allows the 16 different host cities to customize their individual logos with vibrant, localized colors—like Dallas’s neon yellow or Vancouver’s deep teal—while the persistent, realistic image of the trophy keeps the entire visual identity unified across North America.
The Bespoke Louis Vuitton Trophy Trunk
To transport football’s ultimate prize safely and in style, FIFA has once again partnered with the luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton. Named the Official Supplier and Branded Licensee for the 2026 World Cup, Louis Vuitton has crafted an exclusive, bespoke trophy trunk.
- Craftsmanship: The trunk was created by artisans in Louis Vuitton’s historic Asnières-sur-Seine workshops near Paris.
- Design: It is covered in the brand’s iconic monogram canvas and finished with beige leather lining and gold-plated brass corner protectors. The front features a striking hand-painted golden “V” to signify both “victory” and “Vuitton”.
- The Final Ceremony: Continuing a tradition that began in 2010, the trunk will be brought onto the pitch ahead of the 2026 World Cup Final by a FIFA Legend and a Louis Vuitton ambassador.
The 27-Foot LEGO Tribute in New York City
The trophy’s cultural footprint for 2026 extends beyond official branding. In New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza, a massive 27-foot-tall replica of the World Cup trophy has been constructed entirely out of LEGO bricks.
Debuted in collaboration with Brazilian football legend Cafu, the installation used over 1.36 million LEGO bricks and took a team of 59 designers and engineers over 7,040 hours to build. This giant monument will remain on display for fans until the World Cup final on July 19, 2026.
Who Gets to Keep the Trophy?
While national teams battle fiercely to earn the title of world champions, nobody actually gets to take the genuine article home permanently.
Unlike the old Jules Rimet Trophy, the modern FIFA World Cup Trophy belongs strictly to FIFA. The winning team’s captain gets to lift the original 18-carat gold cup during the post-match award ceremony, but the team is eventually presented with a gold-plated replica (the FIFA World Cup Winners’ Trophy) to keep.
Between tournaments, the authentic trophy is heavily guarded and stored at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zürich, Switzerland. In fact, touching the original trophy is a rare privilege reserved almost exclusively for former World Cup winners and heads of state.
