FIFA and the mystery of the Jules Rimet Trophy: The World Cup's lost treasure that vanished forever

Long before football's biggest prize became the FIFA World Cup Trophy we know today, world champions lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy. Revered as one of the most iconic trophies in sports history, it survived World War II, was stolen and spectacularly recovered in England, before disappearing forever in Brazil. More than four decades later, its fate remains one of football's greatest unsolved mysteries.

What was the Jules Rimet Trophy?

The original FIFA World Cup trophy was designed by French sculptor Abel Lafleur for the inaugural tournament in Uruguay in 1930. It was initially known as the "Victory" trophy and stood about 35 centimetres tall, weighing approximately 3.8 kilograms.

The trophy was made of sterling silver plated with gold and featured a blue lapis lazuli base. It depicted Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, holding an octagonal cup above her head.


In 1946, FIFA renamed it the Jules Rimet Trophy in honour of Jules Rimet, whose vision helped establish the FIFA World Cup as an international tournament.

Under FIFA's rules at the time, the first nation to win the World Cup three times would gain permanent ownership of the trophy.

The 1966 theft and the dog that became a hero

The Jules Rimet Trophy first vanished in March 1966, just months before England hosted the FIFA World Cup.

It had been put on display during a public exhibition at Westminster Central Hall in London when thieves managed to steal it despite security measures. The disappearance sparked a nationwide police investigation and made headlines around the world.

Seven days later, the mystery took an unexpected turn.

A mixed-breed dog named Pickles, while out for a walk with his owner David Corbett in south London, discovered a package wrapped in newspaper hidden beneath a hedge. Inside was the missing Jules Rimet Trophy.

Pickles instantly became a national hero. He received a reward, appeared in television programmes and attended several public events, cementing his place in football folklore.

Brazil wins the trophy forever

Brazil defeated Italy 4-1 in the 1970 FIFA World Cup final in Mexico to become the first country to win the tournament three times.

As FIFA's rules then stipulated, Brazil was awarded permanent ownership of the Jules Rimet Trophy. It was subsequently displayed at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in Rio de Janeiro.

By then, FIFA had already decided to commission a new World Cup trophy for future tournaments. The current FIFA World Cup Trophy, designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was introduced in 1974.

The disappearance that remains unsolved

On December 19, 1983, thieves broke into the Brazilian Football Confederation's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

Rather than trying to smash the trophy's bulletproof glass display case, they reportedly removed the wooden rear panel of the cabinet, reached inside and stole the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Police later arrested several suspects and concluded that the trophy had likely been melted down after the theft. However, the original trophy has never been recovered, and no conclusive evidence has ever confirmed what ultimately happened to it.

Its disappearance remains one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in sporting history.

Could the trophy still exist?

Because the Jules Rimet Trophy has never resurfaced, theories about its fate continue to circulate.

Some believe it was destroyed soon after the theft. Others speculate that it may have survived and is hidden in a private collection somewhere in the world.

Without the original trophy, no theory has ever been proven.

What replaced the Jules Rimet Trophy?

Following the 1983 theft, FIFA commissioned an authorised replica for Brazil, while the original remained missing.

Since 1974, FIFA has awarded the modern FIFA World Cup Trophy to tournament winners during the official presentation ceremony. The original trophy remains FIFA's property and is later returned to the organisation. Winning teams receive the FIFA World Cup Winners' Trophy, a gold-plated bronze replica, as a permanent keepsake.

Timeline: The Jules Rimet Trophy
1930: The original FIFA World Cup trophy is introduced as the "Victory" trophy.
1946: It is renamed the Jules Rimet Trophy in honour of former FIFA president Jules Rimet.
1966: The trophy is stolen in London and recovered a week later by Pickles, a pet dog.
1970: Brazil wins its third World Cup and gains permanent ownership of the trophy.
1974: FIFA introduces the current FIFA World Cup Trophy for future tournaments.
1983: The Jules Rimet Trophy is stolen from the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.
Present day: The original trophy has never been recovered, and its fate remains unknown.
A football legend that refuses to fade

The Jules Rimet Trophy is more than just a piece of silverware. It is a symbol of football's early history and the centrepiece of one of sport's most enduring mysteries.

Stolen twice, recovered once, and missing since 1983, the trophy continues to captivate football fans across generations. Whether it was destroyed, hidden away, or still exists somewhere undiscovered, the disappearance of the Jules Rimet Trophy remains one of the greatest unsolved stories in the history of the beautiful game.