FIFA will present a new historic prize to the champions of the 2026 World Cup in New York [4].
The introduction of this prize adds an American tradition to the tournament's legacy as the event concludes today, 19 July 2026 [3]. This addition complements the existing prestige of the FIFA World Cup trophy, which remains the most coveted prize in global football.
The current trophy was designed in Milan, Italy, by sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga [1]. It was introduced after Brazil's victory in 1970 [1] to replace the original Jules Rimet Trophy [1]. Gazzaniga created the spiraling form to capture three core sporting emotions: the struggle of the athlete, the jubilation of the fans, and the moment of victory [1].
The transition to the current design followed a period of instability for the previous award. The Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen twice and never recovered [2]. This history of loss underscored the need for a new, enduring symbol for the sport.
While the historic design of the trophy continues to be celebrated, the 2026 tournament marks a shift in how victory is commemorated. The new prize being presented in the U.S. reflects the tournament's expansion and its presence in North America [4].
“Gazzaniga aimed to capture three core sporting emotions: athlete’s struggle, fan’s jubilation, and moment of victory.”
The addition of a new prize for the 2026 champions suggests FIFA is attempting to modernize the tournament's traditions to match the scale of its North American hosting. By blending the legacy of Gazzaniga's 1970 design with a new American-inspired tradition, the organization is bridging the sport's European artistic roots with its expanding commercial and cultural footprint in the U.S.
