With the Jules Rimet Cup being awarded permanently to Brazil after their third FIFA World Cup triumph in Mexico City in 1970, FIFA commissioned a new trophy for the tenth FIFA World Cup in 1974. Experts from seven countries submitted a total of 53 designs to FIFA, with the final choice being the work of Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy is made of solid gold and malachite. It is made by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga. He described his creation in these words: "The lines spring out from the base, rising in spirals, stretching out to receive the world. From the remarkable dynamic tensions of the compact body of the sculpture rise the figures of two athletes at the stirring moment of victory".

The trophy is 36 cm high, made of solid 18-carat gold and weighs 4,970 grams. The base contains two layers of semi-precious malachite and has room for 17 small plaques bearing the name of the winners - space enough for the World Champions up to the year 2038. The current FIFA World Cup Trophy cannot be won outright, as the regulations state that it shall remain FIFA's own possession. The World Cup winners retain it until the next tournament and are awarded a gold-plated replica.

The winning teams, whose legendary players have carried the Trophy in triumph at FIFA World Cup finals are: Germany (1974), captained by Franz Beckenbauer; Argentina (1978), captained by Daniel Pasarella; Italy (1982), captained by Dino Zoff; Argentina (1986), captained by Diego Maradona; Germany (1990), captained by Lothar Matthaus; Brazil (1994), captained by Dunga; France (1998), captained by Didier Deschamps and Brazil (2002), captained by Cafu.


Germany 2006
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