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Why is the World Cup trophy called the FIFA World Cup Trophy?

Explained by SportCells · 27 June 2026 · 2 min read

Why is the World Cup trophy called the FIFA World Cup Trophy?

The FIFA World Cup Trophy is officially called as such, with a history dating back to 1974 when it replaced the Jules Rimet Trophy, awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup association football tournament, with its current design symbolizing joy and dynamism in the sport.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy is called as such because it was introduced in 1974 as a replacement for the Jules Rimet Trophy, which was awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup from 1930 to 1970. The new trophy was designed to symbolize the joy and dynamism of the sport, with two human figures reaching up to the sky, depicting the moment of joy in victory.

History of the Trophy

The Jules Rimet Trophy was awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup from 1930 to 1970. However, when Brazil won the World Cup in 1970, they became the first team to win the tournament three times, and the trophy was awarded to them permanently. As a result, FIFA launched a competition to design a new trophy, which was introduced in 1974.

Design and Symbolism

The FIFA World Cup Trophy was designed by Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga, and it features two human figures reaching up to the sky, depicting the moment of joy in victory. The trophy is made of 18 karat gold and has a malachite base, symbolizing the joy and dynamism of the sport. As explained in our Football Explained series, the trophy is a significant part of the World Cup tradition.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

The FIFA World Cup Trophy is made of 18 karat gold with bands of malachite on its base.

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