The World Cup Trophy is the hopes and ambitions of every footballing nation on earth
The World Cup Trophy is a small gold trophy representing the hopes and ambitions of every footballing nation on earth. Since the advent of the World Cup in 1930, there have been two trophies awarded to the winners. The Jules Rimet Trophy was the original prize for winning the World Cup. Originally called simply the World Cup or Coupe du Monde, it was renamed in 1946 to honour the FIFA President Jules Rimet who in 1929 passed a vote to initiate the competition. Designed by Abel Lafleur and made of gold plated sterling silver on a blue base of lapis lazuli, it stood 35 cm high and weighed 3.8 kg. It was in the shape of an octagonal cup, supported by a winged figure representing Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory. During World War II, the trophy was held by Italy. Ottorino Barassi, the Italian vice-president of FIFA, hid it from the Germans in a shoe-box under his bed. Just before the 1966 World Cup Final in England the trophy was stolen during a public exhibition at Westmin