Why are there two World Cup trophies?
Because the first trophy became Brazil's.The first trophy, the Jules Rimet Trophy, could be kept for good by any team that won three times. Brazil won its third title in 1970 and received it, so FIFA made a new trophy, which has been used since the 1974 tournament.
The first trophy, the Jules Rimet Trophy
The first World Cup trophy was the Jules Rimet Trophy. It was given to the winners from the first tournament in 1930. It is named after Jules Rimet, the FIFA president at the time the World Cup was created. The trophy came with a rule: any team that won three times could keep it for good.
It became Brazil's
At the 1970 tournament in Mexico, Brazil won for the third time. As the rule said, the Jules Rimet Trophy became Brazil's. So FIFA had to make a new trophy for the next tournament.
The new trophy from 1974
The new trophy was chosen from 53 designs from around the world, and the design by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga won. It is called the FIFA World Cup Trophy and has been used since the 1974 tournament. It is made of 18-carat gold, is 36.8 cm tall and weighs 6175 g. It is hollow, and its base uses a green stone called malachite.
Winners get a replica
No team can keep the new trophy for good, however many times it wins. The names of the winning countries are engraved on its base, and the space will not be used up until 2038 at the earliest. Winners receive a bronze replica, and the real trophy stays at FIFA's museum in Switzerland.
What happened to the Jules Rimet Trophy
As for the first trophy that Brazil took home, it was stolen in 1983 from the offices of the Brazilian football confederation, and it has still not been found.
Want to know more?
- The Jules Rimet Trophy showed Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, holding up a cup, and it was gold-plated.
- The first person to show the new trophy to the world, in 1974, was Franz Beckenbauer of West Germany, who won that tournament.
Quick quiz: test yourself
Why are there two World Cup trophies?
Show the answer
- The old one broke
- They wanted a different size
- A team won three times and kept it
A team won three times and kept it The first trophy could be kept by a team that won three times. Brazil received it in 1970, so a new trophy has been used since 1974.
The first trophy could be kept by a team that won three times. Brazil received it in 1970, so a new trophy has been used since 1974.
Next quiz ›Sources
- Silvio Gazzaniga - the Milanese artist (the FIFA World Cup trophy)Silvio Gazzaniga (official site)
- FIFA World Cup - the most desirable trophyPolish Football Association (PZPN)
- 93 days to the World Cup: The trophy that was stolen and never foundYahoo Sports
This article was written after checking the sources above as of 2026-10-03. Explanations may change as research progresses. Photo credits are shown below each photo.
