| ld Cup is a small gold trophy representing the hopes | | | | The replica was sold at an auction in 1997 for |
| and ambitions of every footballing nation on earth. | | | | $425,015.There were many replicas on eBay at that |
| Since the advent of the World Cup in 1930, there | | | | time. |
| have been two trophies awarded to the winners.The | | | | The Brazilian team won the trophy for the third time |
| Jules Rimet Trophy was the original prize for winning | | | | in 1970, and were rewarded by being allowed to |
| the World Cup. Originally called simply the World Cup | | | | keep it in perpetuity. However, the cup was stolen |
| or Coupe du Monde, it was renamed in 1946 to | | | | again in 1983 in Rio de Janeiro and never recovered; |
| honour the FIFA President Jules Rimet who in 1929 | | | | it may have been melted down. The Brazilian Football |
| passed a vote to initiate the competition. Designed | | | | Confederation commissioned a replica of their own. |
| by Abel Lafleur and made of gold plated sterling silver | | | | The replacement trophy, officially known as the FIFA |
| on a blue base of lapis lazuli, it stood 35 cm high and | | | | World Cup Trophy, was first presented at the 1974 |
| weighed 3.8 kg. It was in the shape of an octagonal | | | | World Cup. Designed by Silvio Gazzaniga, it stands 36 |
| cup, supported by a winged figure representing Nike, | | | | cm tall and is made of 5 kg of 18 carat (75%) solid |
| the ancient Greek goddess of victory. | | | | gold with a base containing two layers of malachite, |
| During World War II, the trophy was held by Italy. | | | | and depicts two human figures holding up the Earth. |
| Ottorino Barassi, the Italian vice-president of FIFA, hid | | | | The name of the country whose national team wins |
| it from the Germans in a shoe-box under his bed. | | | | the tournament is engraved, together with the year, |
| Just before the 1966 World Cup Final in England the | | | | in the bottom side of the trophy. It is not known |
| trophy was stolen during a public exhibition at | | | | whether FIFA will retire the trophy after all of the |
| Westminster Central Hall, but was found just seven | | | | name plaques at the base are filled in; this will occur |
| days later, wrapped in newspaper at the bottom of | | | | after the 2038 World Cup. |
| a suburban garden hedge in Norwood, South London, | | | | FIFA's regulations now state that the trophy, unlike |
| by a dog named "Pickles". As a security measure, | | | | its predecessor, cannot be won outright: the winners |
| FIFA secretly manufactured a replica of the trophy | | | | of the tournament receive it on loan for four years |
| for use in the post-match celebrations. The replica | | | | and receive a replica to keep. |
| was also used on subsequent occasions until 1970. | | | | |