Five Things You Should Know About the 2019 USWNT World Cup Trophy
A global icon now calls Frisco, Texas “home.”
Fittingly the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy resides at 9200 World Cup Way. For many soccer fans, the last time you caught a glimpse of the rarest-of-rare hardware was when the U.S. Women’s National Team was hoisting the cup above their heads after winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Lyon, France. It capped the fourth World Cup win for an incredible team that certainly has a few future Hall of Famers on the roster. Now that same 2019 trophy takes its place on permanent display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame, and we couldn’t be more proud to play host.
You watched the tournament. You cheered and waved a mini U.S. flag. You know Rapinoe...but how well do you know her pièce de résistance (pardon my French)? Is it pure gold? I’ve spent some time with the trophy, so I’ll let you in on a few gems to keep in your soccer trivia pocket.
There’s only one. And it lives in Frisco, Texas.
On July 7, 2019, the world saw one trophy at the center of the sports universe. There were no duplicates. There wasn’t a spare in the back to give to the U.S. Soccer Federation and every individual player. Just one. For an entire country to share.
Many of the world’s greatest trophies have duplicates cast. The Heisman Trophy gifts one to the winning player and another to the school. The Claret Jug, given to the winner of golf’s Open Championship, gets to spend a few moments with the winner but a replica goes home with the champion.
Not this cup. It’s the real deal. And it lives in Frisco, Texas.
Only the Select Few May Touch
Before touching the 2019 trophy, ask yourself:
- Have I ever won a World Cup?
- Am I a Head of State?
- Have I been trained by FIFA to interact with the trophy?
If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, then congratulations! You are privileged enough to grasp the cup. If not, kindly keep your distance and don’t breathe heavily on the glass encasement.
It Lives a First-Class Lifestyle
The 2019 trophy never travels alone. Often, it has an entourage like World Cup-winning players and coaches, but when it moves from Point A to Point B, it must travel with a FIFA-approved handler. No ground shipping for this golden cup. When the USWNT traveled after their World Cup victory, the trophy had its own seat.
No greasy fingers either. White gloves are the preferred method for handling the trophy. Sure a player may grasp it and lift it over their head, but for the most part, we treat it like its the finest of fine china.
The Design is One of a Kind
In order to truly appreciate the trophy’s unique construction, stop by and marvel at its bronze-golden greatness. When viewing, have a friend or loved one read the following in a very British accent:
Designed by William Sawaya and hand-crafted by Milanese specialists Sawaya and Moroni, the trophy, standing at 18.5 inches and weighing 10.1pounds, captures the athleticism, dynamism and elegance of international women’s football. Fitted with a modern, cone-shaped base that reinforces the uplifting spirit of the design, the trophy stretches skywards in the form of a spiral band, enclosing a football at the top. The trophy is made of bronze gold-plated, polished aluminum and Verde Candeias Granite. Engraved underneath its base are the names of each of the previous winners of the Women’s World Cup, cementing their place in Women’s World Cup history.
You’re welcome.
See One. See Them All.
Now with a trip to the National Soccer Hall of Fame, you can get some face time with most of the U.S. Soccer Federation trophies. We not only host the 2019 Women’s World Cup Trophy but also the trophies from the U.S. Women’s 2015, 1999 and 1991 victories as well as many other prestigious pieces from the Women’s and Men’s teams. Stop by, snap a few pics and say “hello” to history.