Amid a surge in gold prices, the materials and supplies value of the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) North and Central America World Cup championship trophy has also jumped. An analysis found the value of the gold in the trophy has risen 157% compared with the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported this on the 11th, citing data from London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). According to LSEG, the materials and supplies value of the gold in the FIFA World Cup trophy is currently estimated at about $713,000 (about 1.089 billion won). That is more than 2.5 times higher than about $277,000 at the time of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup trophy, designed in the shape of two people lifting the Earth, has been used since the 1974 West Germany World Cup. According to FIFA, the trophy is made of 18-karat gold, stands 36.8 cm tall, and weighs 6.175 kg. The base uses malachite, a green semi-precious stone.
LSEG calculated the gold content in the trophy at about 4.93 kg in pure gold terms. SCMP said the materials and supplies value of the gold was around $25,000 when the trophy was first made, but has now risen to nearly 30 times that.
However, this figure accounts only for the materials and supplies value of the trophy's gold. The actual value reflecting its symbolism, history, and rarity is hard to compare directly with materials and supplies prices. The FIFA World Cup trophy is regarded as one of the most iconic championship trophies in global sports.
Debajit Saha, senior analyst in LSEG's metals research institutional sector, said, "The FIFA World Cup trophy is a priceless symbol for the winning players, while at the same time serving as an example of how much the value of gold has surged," and added, "One of the most iconic sports trophies in the world is also serving in real time as an indicator reflecting global economic sentiment."
The winning team does not permanently own the original trophy. The original is owned by FIFA and kept in Zurich, Switzerland, and the champion nation receives a replica. The original trophy is unveiled at limited official events such as the World Cup final and trophy tour.
According to precious metals market research firm Metals Focus, gold hit a record high of $5,595 per ounce in Jan. this year. It has retreated from the peak since, but remains elevated. Metals Focus analyzed that gold prices rose 64% in 2025, marking the biggest annual gain since 1979.