In the FIFA World Cup 2026, either Spain or Argentina will lift the ultimate trophy of the World Cup. This trophy is not just a prize but it is the hopes of countless nations and their relentless efforts of the players to achieve their ultimate goal to win the World Cup.
The famous trophy was created by Mr. Silvio Gazzaniga, an Italian artist who was able to make it a lasting symbol of success as it has become the most sought-after trophy in soccer history.
Reason for FIFA Changing Its World Cup Trophy
The FIFA World Cup trophy we see today was first launched in the year 1974 and is a substitute to the Jules Rimet Trophy.
FIFA decided to come up with a different trophy because Brazil had permanently won the Jules Rimet Trophy by becoming the first team ever to win the FIFA World Cup three times in the FIFA World Cup.
According to the rules of the tournament, the original trophy would be given permanently to the team who achieved that feat first.
The new trophy was a result of an international competition that attracted more than fifty entries from all over the world. There was one submission that stood out not just because of its design but also because of the story behind it.
The winning trophy design was that of an Italian sculptor and designer named Silvio Gazzaniga based in Milan.
The Vision Behind the Iconic Design
While working from his workshop located in the historical part of the city known as the Brera neighborhood in Milan, Gazzaniga wanted to come up with a trophy that would express the emotional experience of football.
He did not want to make a static object and decided to make a moving sculpture consisting of two people who are moving upwards, holding the globe in their hands. The wavy spiraling shape of the sculpture represents movement, ambition, and striving for excellence.
According to Gazzaniga’s son Giorgio Gazzaniga, the design symbolizes three important feelings of sport,
- Struggle and effort of athletes
- Happiness of fans celebrating victory
- The moment of victory of the champions of the world
The upward movement of the figures symbolizes the moment of the humanity’s great achievement, while the globe symbolizes the universality of football.
A Trophy that Symbolizes Strength and Festivity
Unlike the many other sports awards, the FIFA World Cup trophy has a story to tell.
The toned human forms seem to rise from the base, symbolizing the challenges that the players have to face both physically and mentally.
Their lifted arms can be perceived as wings, signifying not only the athletes but also devotion of millions of fans all over the globe.
The idea behind the design won admiration of the FIFA commission and made Gazzaniga’s design to stand out against other projects in the competition.
From Prototype to the Most Important Award in Football
As reported, Gazzaniga was one of the few contestants who submitted a 3D model instead of sketches in the contest.
The detailed prototype allowed FIFA officials to appreciate all artistic work and the meaning behind the design.
Gazzaniga’s drafts, wax model, and prototype have been preserved by the family and serve as the evidence how the artist’s vision has found its way into history.
What Is Used For Making FIFA World Cup Trophy?
The FIFA World Cup trophy is the most prestigious award in global sports.
The dimensions and features of the trophy are,
- Height: 36 centimeters.
- Material: Made from 18-carat gold.
- Base: Two rings crafted from green malachite decorate base.
- Weight: Approximately 6.1 kilograms.
The malachite base symbolizes the football fields, while the golden globe on top stands for the universal character of the sport.
Since 1974, the trophy has not changed the elegance of its design.
Is it True That World Cup Champions Retain the Original Trophy?
One of the most frequent diffusions regarding the World Cup is the belief that the champions retain the original trophy.
However, the truth is that during the ceremony, the trophy raised in the air belongs to FIFA and is returned to its office in Switzerland once the tournament is over.
The winner receives a replica made of the solid gold for being exhibited in the winning country.
It is done to protect the original trophy and preserve its historical importance for posterity.
The Story of the Stolen Jules Rimet Trophy
Previously, FIFA had utilized the Jules Rimet trophy before the award of the FIFA World Cup.
The trophy has suffered two notable acts of theft.
In the year 1966, while it was displayed in England, the trophy was stolen, only for it to be discovered shortly afterward, buried in a hedge in South London by Pickles, the dog that became internationally recognized.
Once more, in 1983, the trophy was stolen from the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation after Brazil retained it in perpetuity.
Unlike the earlier theft, the trophy has never been recovered and the presumption is that it has been melted down.
These thefts led to the enforcement of high-security standards for the safety of the current trophy.
A Legacy of Football/Soccer Superiority
Since being introduced in the year 1974, the FIFA World Cup trophy has been given out at 14 World Cups.
Over the years, immortal skippers like Franz Beckenbauer, Diego Maradona, Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro, Iker Casillas, Philipp Lahm, Hugo Lloris, and Lionel Messi among others, have handled the trophies many times, thus creating some of the most spectacular images in football history.
FIFA confirmed that Gazzaniga’s treasure would be used for the FIFA World Cup until 2038 for sure and thus becomes one of the ultimate champions of the sports world.
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