Is World Cup Trophy Really Made of Gold?

The FIFA World Cup trophy is one of the most recognizable and coveted prizes in all of sports. But is this iconic trophy made of real gold? Here is a comprehensive look at whether the World Cup trophy contains actual gold, its estimated value, who keeps the real trophy, and how it compares to other famous sports awards.

Background on the World Cup Trophy

The current World Cup trophy was introduced in 1974 after Brazil won the right to keep the previous Jules Rimet Trophy for winning their third championship in 1970. The new 14.6 inch tall trophy was designed by Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga and depicts two human figures holding up the earth.

According to FIFA, the trophy is made of 18 carat solid gold with a malachite base and weighs approximately 13.6 pounds. The trophy‘s name is simply the "FIFA World Cup Trophy."

Construction: Solid Gold?

The World Cup trophy is constructed from 18 karat solid gold, giving it a gold content of 75%. The trophy contains around 173 troy ounces (4.9 kg) of relatively pure gold.

At recent gold prices, the precious metal in the trophy is worth approximately $250,000 USD. The entire trophy is valued at around $20 million when factoring in craftsmanship and cultural significance.

So while not 100% pure gold, the iconic World Cup trophy is made mostly of solid high-karat gold rather than simply being gold plated or colored.

Who Keeps the Real Trophy?

Many fans mistakenly believe that the winning nation gets to hold onto the World Cup trophy until the next tournament. However, the authentic FIFA World Cup Trophy remains in FIFA‘s possession at their headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland between tournaments.

The winning team instead receives a gold-plated replica known as the FIFA World Cup Winners‘ Trophy to keep perpetually. This policy helps protect and preserve the original for future World Cup winners.

Comparison to Other Famous Trophies

Here‘s how the World Cup trophy stacks up against some other famous sports awards in terms of materials, value and history:

• Stanley Cup – Oldest trophy, first awarded in 1893. Made of silver and nickel alloy. Current value around $650k.

• Olympic Gold Medal – First awarded in 1896. Made of silver with 6 grams of gold plating. Worth around $600.

• Super Bowl Trophy – Awarded since 1967. Made of sterling silver. Approximate value of $50k.

• Wimbledon Trophy – Introduced in 1887. Made of gilded silver. Estimated value around $38k.

So while other prominent trophies have great history and tradition, the World Cup stands apart for being made of solid gold and having such a high monetary value.

World Cup Finances

FIFA earns billions from the World Cup through various revenue streams:

• Broadcasting rights – $2.4 billion in 2018
• Sponsorships – $1.6 billion
• Ticket sales – Over 3 million sold in 2018

The total prize money for the 2018 World Cup was $400 million. The winning French team took home $38 million while teams eliminated in the group stage made $8 million each.

Controversies

The original Jules Rimet trophy was stolen in London in 1966 but found just over a week later by a dog named Pickles.

More infamously, the trophy was stolen in Brazil in 1983 and never recovered. It is rumored to have been melted down. Brazil was allowed to keep a replica due to their 3 World Cup victories.

So while the current trophy has avoided theft so far, there‘s a history of people targeting the priceless World Cup to capture a piece of soccer glory.

Conclusion

The one-of-a-kind FIFA World Cup Trophy is crafted from over 4 kg of 18 karat gold and adorned with prestigious malachite. With an estimated value exceeding $20 million, it is the most valuable trophy in sports. Winning teams get to hoist the genuine trophy but it remains under lock and key the rest of the time. The World Cup Trophy will likely continue to inspire both awe and desire from fans around the globe.