Sixteen nations will take to the turf in the men’s competition, and sixteen more in the women’s, when the 16th editions of the Hockey World Cup get underway in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15.
In the history of the men’s competition, six teams have lifted the title, while four teams have triumphed in the women’s tournament.
While hockey enthusiasts tend to get lost in the campaigns that shaped each of these successful outings, all roads lead to the sparkling trophies, which too have their own unique backstory.
Men’s Hockey World Cup Trophy history
Thomas Lyte, a London-based luxury brand specialising in gold and silverware, restored the men’s Hockey World Cup trophy ahead of the 2018 edition, held in India’s Bhubaneswar.
Per the brand’s website, the trophy was designed by Bashir Moojid and crafted by the Pakistani Army. It was formally handed over in Brussels in March 1971, to then FIH president Rene Frank by H.E. Masood, Pakistan’s ambassador to Belgium at the time.
Specifications of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup Trophy (As per Thomas Lyte)
– Consists of a silver cup with floral design
– It is surmounted by a globe of the world in silver and gold
– The globe is placed on a high blade base inlaid with ivory
– At the top, there is a hockey stick and a ball
– Without the base, the trophy is 120.85 mm (4.758 in) tall
– Including the base, the trophy is 650mm tall
– The trophy weighs 11,560g, including 895g of gold, 6,815g of silver, 350g of ivory and 3,500g of teak
Women’s Hockey World Cup Trophy history
There’s not much recorded history behind the women’s Hockey World Cup trophy. According to FIH sources, it was made in Scotland and first presented in 1975.
Hockey India recently shared this detail, noting that the original women’s World Cup trophy stood just 13cm tall — which is said to be how it earned the nickname ‘Salad Bowl.’
Published on Aug 12, 2026
