The 2026 FIFA World Cup is knocking on the door with its beginning match on June 11. With Argentina sets up as the defending champion, France, England, Spain, and Portugal are seen as the top contenders on the other hand. Meanwhile, Germany and Brazil are also in the same race, still having the ability to surprise everyone and lift the trophy. But what is the actual cost of the FIFA World Cup trophy, especially if one were to grab it in 2026?
Though its emotional value is immeasurable, the actual value of the trophy is much higher in terms of the current estimate of gold in the international market. If the trophy were hypothetically auctioned in the market today, its value could easily surpass USD 20 million.
What are the components behind the making of a trophy?
The trophy, which stands 37 centimetres tall, is made of 18-karat gold and weighs approximately 6 kilograms. The design depicts two human figures holding up the Earth, representing football as the world's number one sport.
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Interestingly, this delicate trophy is hollow from the inside. If it were made of solid gold, it would be difficult for players to lift it comfortably. The base of the trophy features two layers of malachite, a green semi-precious mineral. Its design was made by an Italian sculptor named Silvio Gazzaniga after FIFA launched an international competition in 1970. Previously, it was known as the Jules Rimet Trophy, which was permanently awarded to Brazil after they won their third World Cup title in Mexico in 1970.
Dynamic pricing and scarcity have shifted the price of watching live sport in the U.S. — and this summer, FIFA is taking full advantage of the landscape.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) June 4, 2026
With face-value tickets for the World Cup final costing almost $11,000, @mjshrimper explains why this tournament is such a… pic.twitter.com/QbJwY0SAo7
The current trophy was won for the first time by West Germany in 1974, under the captaincy of the legendary defender Franz Beckenbauer.
The winning team is given a replica, rather than the original trophy
Under the strict ownership maintained by FIFA, the winning teams are prohibited from keeping the original trophy. Instead, they are given a replica, which is a gold-plated bronze trophy to keep. The actual and original trophy is sent back to the Zurich headquarters after the finale of the tournament concludes.
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This year, FIFA will be hosting its edition in the three countries comprising the USA, Canada and Mexico, expanding the tournament with 48 teams. The original trophy is yet to be brought in public, with world-class contenders set to face off against each other throughout the tournament.
