Do FIFA World Cup Winners Keep The Trophy? Here’s The Truth

When the captain of the World Cup-winning team lifts the FIFA World Cup trophy after the final whistle, it feels like that trophy belongs to the champions forever.

But that’s not actually how it works. The team that wins the FIFA World Cup does not get to keep the original trophy permanently.

Instead, the champions celebrate with the famous trophy during the presentation ceremony, team photos and official celebrations. Once those celebrations are over, the original trophy is returned to FIFA, which remains its permanent owner.

The reason is straightforward. The FIFA World Cup trophy is one of the most valuable and iconic trophies in the sporting world. It stands 36.8 cm tall, weighs 6.175 kg and is made from 18-carat gold with a malachite base. Because of its value and historical importance, FIFA keeps the original trophy under strict security and only brings it out for official occasions.

So what do the winners take home?

Every World Cup champion receives an official FIFA-approved replica of the trophy. It looks almost exactly the same as the original but is gold-plated instead of being made from solid gold. That replica becomes the winning country’s permanent souvenir.

This rule has been in place since the current FIFA World Cup trophy was introduced in 1974, replacing the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Do You Know Brazil was allowed to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy?

Interestingly, things were different in the past. Brazil was allowed to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy after winning its third World Cup in 1970. However, the trophy was stolen from the Brazilian Football Confederation’s headquarters in 1983 and has never been found.

After that incident, FIFA decided that the new World Cup trophy would always remain its property.

So, while the winning captain gets the unforgettable moment of lifting football’s biggest prize, the original trophy eventually goes back to FIFA, where it stays safe until the next World Cup.