Explained: Why FIFA World Cup champions are handed a replica instead of the original trophy

Lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy is the defining moment in every footballer's career. While the winning captain gets to raise the iconic golden prize during the post-match celebrations, what many fans do not realise is that the champions do not take the original trophy home permanently.

Instead, FIFA presents the winning nation with a specially crafted gold-plated replica, while the original FIFA World Cup Trophy is returned to FIFA for safekeeping. The policy has been in place for decades to preserve one of the most valuable and recognisable trophies in world sport.

Here's why the original trophy never leaves FIFA's possession.

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Why do FIFA World Cup winners receive a replica trophy?

Unlike many sporting competitions where champions retain the original silverware, the FIFA World Cup Trophy remains FIFA's permanent property.

After the trophy presentation ceremony, the winning team is allowed to celebrate with the original trophy before it is returned to FIFA. The champions are later presented with a gold-plated brass-alloy replica, engraved with the name of the victorious nation, which they are permitted to keep.

The rule exists to protect the original trophy because of its immense historical, cultural and financial significance. Crafted from 18-karat gold, the trophy is regarded as one of the most valuable prizes in global sport and is carefully preserved by FIFA between tournaments.

A brief history of the FIFA World Cup Trophy

The first World Cup trophy was the Jules Rimet Trophy, named after former FIFA president Jules Rimet. Designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur, it featured Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory.

The Jules Rimet Trophy measured 35 centimetres in height, weighed 3.8 kilograms, and was made from gold-plated silver.

Tournament rules at the time stated that any nation winning the World Cup three times would gain permanent possession of the trophy. Brazil achieved that feat after lifting its third title in 1970, earning the right to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently.

The countries to win the Jules Rimet Trophy era World Cups were:

Uruguay (1930, 1950)
Italy (1934, 1938)
West Germany (1954)
Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970)
England (1966)

Following Brazil's permanent acquisition of the Jules Rimet Trophy, FIFA commissioned a new design.

The current FIFA World Cup Trophy was created in 1971 by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga and has been awarded since the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Manufactured by Italian company GDE Bertoni, it depicts two triumphant human figures holding up the globe.

The trophy stands 36.8 centimetres tall, weighs 6.2 kilograms, and is crafted entirely from 18-karat gold.

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Since its introduction, it has been lifted by Germany, Argentina, Italy, Brazil, France and Spain. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to conclude this weekend, either defending champions Argentina or European champions Spain will once again raise the original trophy on the podium—before handing it back to FIFA and receiving their own replica to keep forever.