Zurich: Teams that win the FIFA World Cup do not keep the original trophy but instead receive a gold-plated brass-alloy replica bearing the name of the victorious nation, according to FIFA World Cup records. This practice ensures the preservation of the prestigious original trophy, which carries a rich history dating back to its inception.

According to Anadolu Agency, the original World Cup trophy, known as the Jules Rimet Trophy, was designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur and featured Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory. Standing at 35 centimeters (13.8 inches) tall and weighing 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds), it was crafted from gold-plated silver. Under the tournament rules at the time, Brazil was granted permanent possession of the Jules Rimet Trophy after securing its third World Cup title in 1970, and the trophy was subsequently placed in a museum in Brazil.

The Jules Rimet Trophy era saw countries like Uruguay, Italy, Germany, Brazil, and England claiming World Cup titles. A new trophy was introduced after the 1970 tournament, designed in 1971 by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga. The current FIFA World Cup Trophy has been awarded since the 1974 tournament and is manufactured by Italy-based GDE Bertoni. Made of 18-karat gold, the trophy depicts two victorious human figures holding up the globe, standing at 36.8 centimeters (14.5 inches) tall and weighing 6.2 kilograms (13.7 pounds).

Since the introduction of the current trophy, World Cup winners have included Germany, Argentina, Italy, Brazil, France, and Spain, each having their moment of glory. The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a historic event jointly hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, promising another chapter in the tournament's storied legacy.