The FIFA World Cup 2026 is underway as 48 teams battle for the coveted glory in USA, Mexico and Canada.

The iconic trophy is made from 6.175 kilograms of 18-carat gold, containing 4.93 kilograms of pure gold. When Lionel Messi lifted the trophy after Argentina’s triumph in Qatar in 2022, its gold content was valued at roughly USD 277,000. Today, the same amount of gold is worth more than two-and-a-half times that figure.

The increase is even more striking over the long term. When FIFA introduced the current trophy design ahead of the 1974 World Cup, its gold content was worth only around USD 25,000.

How Much is FIFA World Cup Trophy Cost?

The FIFA World Cup trophy has become significantly more valuable in the last four years, with the gold used to craft football’s most prestigious prize now worth approximately USD 713,000 (around ₹6.1 crore).

According to financial markets provider LSEG, the trophy’s intrinsic gold value has surged by more than 157 percent since the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. LSEG Metals Research lead analyst Debajit Saha attributed the sharp rise to a sustained rally in gold prices, fuelled by geopolitical tensions, global trade uncertainty and slowing economic growth.

“Although gold has eased from its recent highs, the long-term trend in its value remains remarkable,” Saha said to PTI.

“The FIFA World Cup trophy is ultimately priceless to the players who lift it, but its gold content offers an interesting reminder of how dramatically the value of the precious metal has increased over the years.”

No other major sporting trophy comes close to matching the FIFA World Cup trophy’s melt value. The UEFA Champions League and Europa League trophies are crafted from sterling silver and have estimated melt values of approximately USD 16,950 and USD 22,600, respectively.

Among American sporting prizes, the sterling silver Borg-Warner Trophy, awarded to the Indianapolis 500 winner, has an estimated melt value of around USD 156,000, while the Vince Lombardi Trophy presented to Super Bowl champions contains sterling silver worth roughly USD 7,230.

The FIFA World Cup trophy continues to stand alone-not only as football’s ultimate prize but also as the world’s most valuable major sporting trophy by precious metal content.