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Delivery services see boost during FIFA World Cup
LiveNOW from FOX's Ryan Schmelz discusses the FIFA World Cup's economic impact on delivery services with Maddie Lyons, a senior policy research analyst for DoorDash.
Hundreds of millions of fans will watch Sunday when either Spain or Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup trophy after the tournament’s final match.
The shiny gold statue, featuring two figures swirling up to an orb that represents the world, is soccer’s most sought-after prize. But it’s not the original World Cup trophy. Here’s what else to know:
Who designed the FIFA World Cup trophy?
The backstory:
Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga designed the current trophy in his studio in Milan. He won FIFA’s open competition for a new design after Brazil took permanent possession of the original trophy by winning its third World Cup in 1970.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed at New York/New Jersey Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup Final on July 15, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jordan Bank - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
He wanted to capture three sporting emotions in a single spiraling form: the athlete’s struggle, the fan’s jubilation and the moment of victory, his son told The Associated Press.
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The official World Cup trophy is 14 inches tall and cast in 18-carat gold. It sits atop a base featuring two rings of green malachite, a symbol of the playing fields.
What they're saying:
"When he started to design the cup, he was sketching a huge number of drawings and finally started to develop the idea to have the world and this symbol that it is like a two DNA spirals, that are moving up," Giorgio Gazzaniga said.
"There is the world, which stands above all else, there is the athlete’s exertion, there is the athlete’s movement within the metal, and the athlete’s body is rough, rugged, for it has suffered, had to fight, and struggled for victory. That victory is expressed through arms that resemble the wings of Victory, capturing not only the athlete’s triumph but also the jubilation of the fan."
Original trophy was stolen – twice
Dig deeper:
The first World Cup Trophy, introduced for the inaugural tournament in 1930, depicted the Greek goddess Nike. It was called the Jules Rimet Trophy, named after the tournament’s founder.
The original trophy kept by Brazil was stolen twice and hasn’t been seen since 1983. It was first stolen in 1966 while on public display in England. A dog named Pickles later found it under a bush in South London, according to FIFA.
In 1983, after Brazil had taken ownership, it was stolen again from the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters. Officials believe the trophy was melted down.
Who keeps the trophy?
FIFA keeps the original trophy after the tournament. The trophy lives at FIFA’s headquarters in Switzerland between World Cups, and it will be kept by FIFA through at least through the 2038 tournament.
The winning team will get a gold-plated replica.
How to watch the World Cup final
Spain vs. Argentina
FIFA World Cup Final
Sunday, July 19 at 3 p.m. ET
New York New Jersey Stadium
TV: FOX
Streaming: FOX One
The Source: This article includes information from The Associated Press and previous FOX Local reporting.