Is the World Cup Trophy Made of Actual Gold?

The World Cup is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, and since its inception in 1930, it has been a symbol of excellence and glory for the participating teams. It is a tournament that requires dedication and hard work to win, and the trophy that is awarded to the champions is a testament to this. But what many may not know is that the World Cup trophy is made from 18-karat gold, making it one of the most valuable trophies in the world.

The trophy is made of solid 18-karat gold, weighing 198.5 troy ounces (6.175 kilograms), and has a height of 36.8 centimeters with a base of 13 centimeters in diameter. More information can be found here on FIFA's website. The gold used to create the trophy is sourced from the world-famous Swiss gold refinery, PAMP (Produits Artistiques Métaux Précieux). The gold is then cut and shaped into a disc before being overlaid with two semi-precious green malachite bands with the words “FIFA World Cup” in between them.

The amount of pure 24K gold used to make the trophy is estimated to be around 4.6 kilograms (148 troy ounces). Tonight's spot gold price of $1,792 per ounce (live spot price found here) places the current market value of the gold in the trophy at approximately $265,000. Although this is a significant amount of money, it pales in comparison to the monetary value of the trophy itself. According to estimates, the trophy is worth around $20 million due to its historical significance and its prestige as one of the most sought-after trophies in the world.

After every World Cup, the winner is engraved on the bottom of the trophy. At the official winner's ceremony, the winning team is presented with the actual trophy. However, after the ceremony, the trophy is collected by FIFA staff, and a replica is given to the team. It was in 2005 that FIFA terminated the tradition of lending the winner the trophy for the entire year.

The gold used to make the World Cup trophy is a symbol of the hard work and dedication required to win the tournament. It serves as a reminder to all competitors that the ultimate goal is to become the best in the world, and it is a reminder of the glory that awaits the winning team. It is also a reminder of the importance of sustaining this level of excellence and hard work for years to come.