Silvio Gazzaniga

After Brazil retained the right to keep the Rimet Cup as a result of winning it for the third time at the World Cup Final in Mexico in 1970, FIFA needed to create another trophy. On 5 April 1971 at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, a jury of experts led by the former FIFA President, Sir Stanley Rous, convened to form a special committee who received the authorisation to put out to tender the request for a creator of a new Cup.[1]

Closeted away in his studio situated in the artists quarter of Milan, near the Brera Academy and Sforzesco Castle, Gazzaniga began work immediately. Given the difficulties involved in preparing simple sketches to show the fluidity of the design, he also created a plasticine model and a plaster cast. The uncertainty involved in creating a design without first having reached a formal agreement also stood him in good stead. 53 designs were submitted from 25 nations worldwide, but after experiencing the sight, feel, symbolic beauty and photogenic quality of Silvio Gazzaniga's design, FIFA gave their seal of approval. The Cup was immediately cast in gold and officially adopted by FIFA in January 1972.[1]

"Cera Persa" (lost wax) was the technique used to cast the Cup, the very same method used thousands of years ago to create some of the most famous metal statues of antiquity. It is formed of solid 18 carat gold and even though it is hollow inside, it weighs 6,175 grams. It is 36,8 centimetres tall with a base diameter of 13 centimetres.[3][4] The base is composed of two green malachite bands while the inner and underneath sections are inscribed with the names of the teams that have won the World Cup since 1974. The contrasting panels are each inscribed with the language of the relative nation.[3]

Germany's Mesut Özil holds the FIFA World Cup trophy designed by Gazzaniga after the 2014 World Cup Final

This Cup, contrary to the Rimet Cup, will never be presented to the team that wins the World Cup three times, but will continue to be awarded as a prize until 2038, when all the available inscription spaces of the winning nations will be filled. Beginning with Germany in 1974, the trophy has been awarded three times to Germany (1974, 1990 and 2014) and Argentina (1978, 1986 and 2022); twice to Italy (1982 and 2006), Brazil (1994 and 2002) and France (1998 and 2018); and once to Spain (2010).

Beginning with the World Cup Final in Germany in 2006, FIFA stipulated that the original trophy would not be given to the winning national team. In the past the Cup was kept by the winning team at their national football association headquarters for four years. It was returned to FIFA only after lots were drawn to decide on the opposing teams. Today the Cup is awarded to the captain of the winning team at the ceremony following the final game. After the festivities, the winning team receives a copy of the original Cup.

• "To create a universal symbol relating to sport and the harmony of world sport, I was inspired by two fundamental images: those of a triumphant athlete and of the world. I wanted to create a dynamic representation of an accomplishment that could express harmony, simplicity and peace simultaneously. The work should have clear bold lines and reflect the elation of the winning footballer – a man transformed by the enormity of his victory – but without the ego of the super human. This sporting hero who embraces the world in his arms, reflects the strength needed to make sacrifices day after day with his fellow team members and the universal characteristics of sport such as commitment and freedom."[1]
• "The player feels the emotion, the excitement, the speed of action and the effort needed to be at the top of his game. He is the victorious, absolute hero and enthusiastically holds up the world of happiness. Whoever wins such a difficult competition takes on the dimensions of a giant with his prize at the moment of victory. The Cup must express all of these emotions."[1]
• "With two players raising their arms, I wanted to celebrate the moment of joy and the excitement of victory. The sphere at the top is shaped with a relief reflecting the images of continents. This also symbolises football and the world and the lines showing between the two mirrored players expresses the energy of sport. The coarse surface between the two facing figures on the trophy expresses the intensity, vigour, energy and the competitive spirit of football."[1]
• "Emerging from the base each detail comes together and rises and widens out to reach towards the world. A surge of energy springing from the compact base to encompass the figures of the two athletes at their moment of absolute victory."[1]
• "If I ever have to re-create it, I would not make any changes to the original. The fact that the trophy still endures today in this changing world of fashions is a testament to the fact that I was inspired by beautiful symbols and universal principles that became part of my creation."[1]