With less than three months until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, excitement is already spreading across the globe.
Set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, this edition will be the biggest in history, introducing a 48-team format for the very first time.
A total of 64 matches will be played across 16 cities, with the final set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
As the world’s top players get ready to compete for football’s most prestigious prize, FIFA has shared some lesser-known facts about the iconic trophy they all dream of lifting.
- It’s heavier than it looks
The trophy may appear compact, but it carries real weight. It weighs 6.142 kilograms, with 5.092 kilograms made of pure gold. Every player who lifts it is raising over six kilograms of football history. - It’s more recent than many think
The current trophy design was first introduced in 1974 during the World Cup in West Germany. Before that, the Jules Rimet Trophy was in use until Brazil permanently claimed it in 1970 after their third win. - The original never leaves Zurich
The real trophy stays محفوظ at the FIFA Museum in Zurich. Winning nations do not take it home permanently. - Winners receive their own version
Instead of keeping the original, each winning team is awarded its own official replica as a lasting symbol of their victory. - History is updated every time
After each tournament, a new disk is added to the base of the trophy, engraving the name of the latest champion and preserving football history with every edition.
