Archive · 19 Jul 2026
FIFA World Cup Trophy: Limited Engraving Space
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is a special prize that can't be kept by the winning team.
It has space for only 17 winning countries to have their names engraved.
Right now, 13 names are already on it, and there are only 4 spots left.
After the 2038 World Cup, the trophy will be full, and FIFA will need to make a new one.
The trophy is made of gold and is very valuable, but it's not solid gold because it would be too heavy.
It's made by a special process that's been used for thousands of years.
Only the winners and heads of state can touch it with their bare hands.
The trophy has traveled all over the world and has even been dropped and damaged before.
It's a very important symbol in football.
The current FIFA World Cup Trophy has space for only 17 winning nations, with 13 already engraved.
The trophy cannot be kept permanently by the winners; they receive a gold-plated replica instead.
Made from 18-carat gold, the trophy is hollow and weighs about 5 kg to be liftable.
Manufactured by GDE Bertoni in Italy using a 5,000-year-old lost-wax casting technique.
Only FIFA World Cup winners and heads of state can touch the original trophy with bare hands.
- Who
- FIFA, World Cup champions, GDE Bertoni, Silvio Gazzaniga
- What
- FIFA World Cup Trophy, limited engraving space, retirement after 2038
- When
- Current trophy introduced in 1974, expected retirement after 2038
- Where
- FIFA headquarters in Zurich, manufactured in Italy
- Why
- Only 4 engraving spaces left, trophy cannot be kept permanently
- Current Trophy Introduced
- 1974 World Cup
- Engraving Capacity
- 17 winning nations
- Current Engravings
- 13 names
- Expected Retirement
- After 2038 World Cup
- Material
- 18-carat gold, hollow, 5 kg
- Manufacturer
- GDE Bertoni, Italy
- Sculptor
- Silvio Gazzaniga
- Production Technique
- Lost-wax casting, 5,000 years old