MILAN — The Italian sculptor who crafted the FIFA World Cup trophy aimed to encapsulate three key emotions related to sports within a single spiral form: the determination of athletes, the joy of fans, and the thrill of victory.
On Sunday, either Spain or Argentina will lift the trophy after the 2026 World Cup final.
Here’s a brief overview of soccer’s most prestigious award.
The World Cup trophy was created in Milan
After Brazil secured their third World Cup victory in 1970, they claimed the original trophy permanently, prompting FIFA to seek new designs. So, Silvio Gazzaniga designed the new trophy in his studio located in Milan’s Brera district.
Familiar to generations, the trophy showcases two figures spiraling upwards towards a globe symbolizing Earth.
“When he began working on the cup, he sketched a multitude of designs before honing in on the concept of representing the world, like two DNA spirals intertwined,” recalled Giorgio Gazzaniga, the designer’s son, who was a teenager back then.
Gazzaniga, who passed away in 2016, was a notable sculptor and trophy designer, also known for creating other prestigious awards like the UEFA Cup and European Super Cup while collaborating with GDE Bertoni.
The previous trophy was stolen and never recovered
The inaugural World Cup trophy, created for the 1930 tournament, depicted the Greek goddess Nike. It was famously known as the Jules Rimet Trophy, named after its founder.
After Brazil became the first nation to clinch the World Cup thrice, acquiring permanent ownership of the original trophy, FIFA commissioned a new one.
The Jules Rimet Trophy has been stolen twice—first in 1966 while on display in England, later recovered by a dog named Pickles. Its second theft occurred in 1983 from the Brazilian Football Federation and has never been found, with many believing it was melted down.
Gazzaniga’s design reflects the struggle for success
Over 50 design submissions were received, but only Gazzaniga provided a complete model, allowing judges to assess both its design and the narrative behind it.
“There’s a world better than anything, capturing the athlete’s effort, movement, and physical toll in a rugged form, conveying their fight for success,” stated the younger Gazzaniga.
He further emphasized, “That triumph is symbolized through an arm resembling wings of victory, embodying both the athlete’s achievement and the joyous response from fans.”
The Gazzaniga family now maintains his old office, which houses drawings, original prototypes submitted to FIFA, and wax casts, located on the outskirts of Milan.
World Cup winners don’t receive the original trophy
The official trophy, held by the winning captain at the game’s conclusion, stands at 36 centimeters (14 inches) tall, made of 18-karat gold, and is perched on a base adorned with two rings of green malachite, symbolizing a stadium.
After the tournament, the actual trophy is returned to FIFA for safekeeping in Switzerland until the next World Cup, while the winning team receives a gold-plated replica instead.
FIFA now restricts three-time champions from retaining their original trophy.
This marks the 14th occasion that Gazzaniga’s design will be featured, with FIFA planning to continue using it until at least the 2038 tournament, as reflected on Gazzaniga’s website.
The younger Gazzaniga recalls watching the 1974 World Cup final between West Germany and the Netherlands with his family; it was the first presentation of his father’s trophy at a World Cup.
“The real eruption of joy came when the German team lifted the trophy in Munich, and the whole crowd exploded,” he recalled. “That was the moment the object transformed into an icon.”
