The Selected Few who can Touch the World Cup

• With France and Argentina set for a clash at the 2022 World Cup Final
• We look into the details of who can touch the Golden Trophy
• FIFA has some strict rules on the matter

On Sunday, December 18, in Qatar, the World Cup will be raised by either Lionel Messi or Hugo Lloris. The finalist who wins will become a part of a select group who have even touched the 18-carat trophy.

The World Cup final, which concludes an exciting Middle Eastern tournament, features a match between Argentina and France.

FIFA will strictly enforce the regulations that limit who is permitted to touch their prize while the entire world is focused on the Lusail Stadium.

One of the most important symbols of football and the biggest prize in sports is the World Cup trophy. FIFA defend it at all costs, despite the fact that they have erred in the past.

Who can Touch it?

Mbappe with the World Cup after beating Croatia.|PHOTO: FIFA|

A tiny group of people, including heads of state, FIFA officials, and the players and coaches of the champion teams, can only touch the World Cup trophy.

A specific list of spectators authorized to handle it at Sunday’s final will have been created by FIFA.

Under constant, watertight security, the six-kilogram prize travels the world every four years.

For instance, President Joe Biden is the only man from a population of 330 million who is formally permitted to touch the trophy when it lands in the USA.

Strict FIFA Rules

The FIFA World Cup Trophy.|PHOTO: FIFA|

FIFA doesn’t take any chances because the World Cup trophy is worth an estimated $20 million (£17.7 million).

The handler of the trophy must wear gloves and is closely watched while being transported.

The governing body’s museum in Zurich, Switzerland, frequently exhibits it, but they keep their top prize’s private safe place a secret.

FIFA had to learn from its errors after struggling to safeguard the first World Cup trophy. The Jules Rimet trophy, the forerunner of today’s 18-carat symbol, was stolen numerous times.

The Jules Rimet was taken during the 1966 World Cup in London before being discovered in a hedge by a dog named Pickles.

In 1970, Brazil became the first team to win three World Cups, and after receiving the trophy on a permanent basis, thieves managed to steal it in 1983. Since then, it has not been seen.

Did Rihanna Touch it?

At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, pop star Rihanna established herself as a fixture by frequently being spotted watching the action from the stands.

After seeing Mario Gotze win in extra time at the Maracana, the “Umbrella” singer was invited to Germany’s celebration.

Rihanna was photographed holding the trophy as she posed with players like Gotze, Thomas Muller, and Bastian Schweinsteiger, so FIFA must have taken their eyes off the prize.

Following that, she tweeted: “I touched the cup, held the cup, kissed the cup, took a selfie with the cup!!! I meeeaan…… what is YO bucket list looking like bruh?.”

Do the Winners Keep the Trophy?

FIFA maintains that the original $20 million trophy is still theirs, regardless of who wins it on the field.

Players are free to celebrate with the trophy on the field and in their locker room as soon as the winning captain receives it. The winners are then given the “FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy” after the official trophy has been whisked away.

The Winners Trophy is a bronze replica with gold plating. Each tournament has a unique one that the winning team’s football association may temporarily retain.

FIFA, however, still owns it, and at any time, it has the right to request its immediate return to Zurich.

Why don’t nations keep the World Cup anymore?

Germany lift the World Cup.|PHOTO: Eurosport|

It used to be customary for some football associations to keep the original World Cup trophy, specifically the Jules Rimet, for display or safekeeping. Still, these days they typically receive a replica version of the trophy.

The change in policy is motivated by concerns about the trophy’s integrity and general safety. After all, the Jules Rimet World Cup trophy was twice infamously stolen, once in England and once in Brazil.

It was taken from the English FA in 1966, just before the World Cup competition. However, it was miraculously discovered by a dog in a trash can in a south London park, wrapped in newspaper, which was good news for FIFA and the FA.