World Cup Trophy Made of Gold Estimated at Nearly $9 Million

FIFA World Cup trophy. [Photo=Yonhap News]

The South Korean national soccer team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, is set to play its first match in Group A of the North America World Cup today at 11 a.m. Amid this excitement, attention is also turning to the value of the World Cup trophy, which is known to be made of gold.

Busan Digital Asset Exchange, which operates the digital asset trading platform Bdan, announced yesterday that it calculated the trophy's value based on its gold content.

As of this morning, the exchange estimated that the trophy, using the current price of 18-carat gold, is worth approximately 900 million won (about $675,000).

The trophy currently in use stands 36.8 cm tall and weighs 6.175 kg, with 5.092 kg made of 18K gold.

According to Busan Digital Asset Exchange, experts estimate that considering the trophy's cultural and historical significance, its value could be at least $20 million (approximately 31 billion won).

However, no country can permanently own the World Cup trophy, as regulations state that only heads of state and players and coaches from the winning nation may handle it directly.

The winning team lifts the trophy during the award ceremony, but FIFA retrieves it immediately after the ceremony. The actual trophy awarded is said to be a gold-plated replica.

Meanwhile, the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup, co-hosted by three countries for the first time, officially kicked off in Mexico City yesterday.

Opening match between Mexico and South Africa — During the opening match of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup between Mexico and South Africa, large flags of both countries were displayed. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Before the match against the Czech Republic at 11 a.m. today, Coach Hong stated during a press conference held yesterday at the Estadio Guadalajara in Mexico's Sapopan, "I believe our team has not been negligent in preparing for the tournament. In particular, I hope the dedication and effort shown by the players, along with the trials we have faced together, will manifest in tomorrow's game, leading to a good result."

To adapt to the high-altitude environment of Guadalajara, which is located 1,570 meters above sea level, the team held a pre-camp training session in Salt Lake City, Utah. Coach Hong expressed satisfaction with the players' physical condition, stating, "I am very pleased with how they have adapted. Overall, they are in perfect condition. I don't know what results this will bring, but I believe the players have a sense of relief and confidence knowing they have adapted to the altitude."

This tournament has expanded from 32 to 48 participating countries, allowing even third-place teams in the group stage to advance to the knockout rounds.

The South Korean team aims to finish the group stage in a strong position to secure a favorable matchup in the Round of 32.

* This article has been translated by AI.