The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is on, and football fans are already caught up in the thrill.
The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will make history as the largest World Cup ever, featuring an expanded 48-team format.
Sixty-four matches are set across 16 host cities, culminating in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
As top players gear up to contest football’s most coveted prize, FIFA on Saturday unveiled intriguing facts about the iconic trophy—insights that even devoted fans may not know.
1. It weighs more than you think
The FIFA World Cup trophy carries more weight than it appears. FIFA reports that it weighs 6.142 kilograms, including 5.092 kilograms of pure gold. Despite its compact design, every player who lifts it hoists over six kilograms of football history above their head.
2. It is not that old
The current trophy design is younger than many assume. FIFA says it was first introduced in 1974, when West Germany hosted the tournament. It replaced the original Jules Rimet Trophy, which was retired after Brazil secured it permanently by winning a third title in 1970.
3. The original stays in Zurich
Winning nations do not take home the authentic trophy. FIFA confirms that the official FIFA World Cup Trophy is kept at the FIFA Museum in Zurich, while champions receive a replica.
4. Every winner gets their own copy
Instead of circulating a single trophy, FIFA ensures that every champion has a permanent keepsake. Each World Cup winner receives an individual trophy, though the original remains securely in Switzerland.
5. A new disk is added after every tournament
The trophy’s base is updated after each edition of the competition. FIFA notes that a new bottom disk is produced after every tournament, engraved with the latest winner—football’s way of inscribing history onto its most coveted prize.
