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In Rio, artisan crafts World Cup trophies while hoping Brazil gets a real one
TL;DR
An artisan in Rio is crafting World Cup trophies while hoping Brazil secures a real one in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The decorations for the event are already being set up in various locations, including Manaus.
Key points
- Artisan in Rio crafting World Cup trophies
- Brazil hopes to win a real World Cup trophy
- Decorations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup being set up
- Location of decorations includes Manaus, Amazonas state
- Preparations reflect national pride and anticipation
A drone view shows decorations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Rua 3 street in Alvorada neighborhood in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Bruno Kelly
Customers pose for photos while holding dim sums at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
A customer receives roast meats at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
A chef slices roast meats at the historic Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Customers enjoy siu mai at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
A general view of Lin Heung Lau, one of the city’s oldest tea houses, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
A customer poses for photos while holding dim sums at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Customers dance to retro Cantopop at the historic Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
A DJ plays music as customers take photos of dim sums placed on traditional steamers at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Customers enjoy drinks during the farewell dim sum rave party at the historic Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Cannes Film Festival General Delegate Thierry Fremaux and Cannes Film Festival President Iris Knobloch attend a press conference to present the official selection of the 79th Cannes International Film Festival in Paris, France, April 9, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Park Chan-wook, Jury President of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, arrives at the Hotel Martinez on the eve of the opening of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe is displayed alongside a photograph during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh
Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe is displayed alongside a photograph during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh
Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe is displayed alongside a photograph during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh
Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe is displayed alongside a photograph during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh
Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe is displayed during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh
FILE PHOTO: The Princess of Wales speaks to pupils, after taking part in the first Children's Picnic at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, Britain, May 22, 2023. Jordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, during her visit for the launch of "Foundations for Life: A Guide to Social and Emotional Development", a new resource she's launching with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, at the University of East London, in London, Britain, May 6, 2026. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS
A drone view shows artists from the Sand In Your Eye art team putting the finishing touches to a giant sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark the conservationist's 100th birthday, on the beach in Morecambe, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Sir David Attenborough poses for a picture after being appointed as Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, following an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, Windsor, Britain June 8, 2022. Andrew Matthews/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
A drone view shows artists from the Sand In Your Eye art team putting the finishing touches to a giant sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark the conservationist's 100th birthday, on the beach in Morecambe, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Phil Noble
A drone view shows artists from the Sand In Your Eye art team putting the finishing touches to a giant sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark the conservationist's 100th birthday, on the beach in Morecambe, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Phil Noble
A drone view shows artists from the Sand In Your Eye art team putting the finishing touches to a giant sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark the conservationist's 100th birthday, on the beach in Morecambe, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Shakira performs during an open concert at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil May 2, 2026. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes
FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: People enjoy the city lights at the Bund during the five-day Labour Day holiday in Shanghai, China May 4, 2025. REUTERS/Go Nakamura/File Photo/File Photo
Olympics - LA28 - Ceremonial lighting of the cauldron - LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California, U.S. - January 13, 2026 View on the day of the ceremonial lighting of the cauldron ahead of ticket registration launch. REUTERS/Daniel Cole
1 / 27
A drone view shows decorations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Rua 3 street in Manaus
A drone view shows decorations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Rua 3 street in Alvorada neighborhood in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Bruno Kelly
1 / 27
A drone view shows decorations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Rua 3 street in Manaus
A drone view shows decorations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Rua 3 street in Alvorada neighborhood in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Bruno Kelly
2 / 27
Customers pose for photos while holding dim sums at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong
Customers pose for photos while holding dim sums at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
3 / 27
A customer receives roast meats at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong
A customer receives roast meats at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
4 / 27
A chef slices roast meats at the historic Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong
A chef slices roast meats at the historic Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
5 / 27
Customers enjoy siu mai at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong
Customers enjoy siu mai at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
6 / 27
A general view of Lin Heung Lau, one of the city’s oldest tea houses, in Hong Kong
A general view of Lin Heung Lau, one of the city’s oldest tea houses, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
7 / 27
A customer poses for photos while holding dim sums at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong
A customer poses for photos while holding dim sums at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
8 / 27
Customers dance to retro Cantopop at the historic Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong
Customers dance to retro Cantopop at the historic Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
9 / 27
A DJ plays music as customers take photos of dim sums placed on traditional steamers at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong
A DJ plays music as customers take photos of dim sums placed on traditional steamers at Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
10 / 27
Customers enjoy drinks during the farewell dim sum rave party at the historic Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong
Customers enjoy drinks during the farewell dim sum rave party at the historic Lin Heung Lau teahouse during its farewell dim sum rave party ahead of its relocation from Central, in Hong Kong, China, May 9, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
11 / 27
The 79th Cannes Festival reveals film line-up in Paris
Cannes Film Festival General Delegate Thierry Fremaux and Cannes Film Festival President Iris Knobloch attend a press conference to present the official selection of the 79th Cannes International Film Festival in Paris, France, April 9, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
12 / 27
The 79th Cannes Film Festival - Jury dinner
Park Chan-wook, Jury President of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, arrives at the Hotel Martinez on the eve of the opening of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
13 / 27
From jewelry to private letters, Marilyn Monroe’s hidden world heads to auction
Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe is displayed alongside a photograph during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh
14 / 27
From jewelry to private letters, Marilyn Monroe’s hidden world heads to auction
Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe is displayed alongside a photograph during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh
15 / 27
From jewelry to private letters, Marilyn Monroe’s hidden world heads to auction
Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe is displayed alongside a photograph during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh
16 / 27
From jewelry to private letters, Marilyn Monroe’s hidden world heads to auction
Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe is displayed alongside a photograph during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh
17 / 27
From jewelry to private letters, Marilyn Monroe’s hidden world heads to auction
Memorabilia belonging to late model and movie star Marilyn Monroe is displayed during a preview ahead of an upcoming auction in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2026. REUTERS/Arafat Barbakh
18 / 27
FILE PHOTO: Catherine, Princess of Wales, hosts children's picnic at Chelsea Flower Show in London
FILE PHOTO: The Princess of Wales speaks to pupils, after taking part in the first Children's Picnic at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, Britain, May 22, 2023. Jordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
19 / 27
The Princess Of Wales Launches Early Childhood Guide
Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, during her visit for the launch of "Foundations for Life: A Guide to Social and Emotional Development", a new resource she's launching with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, at the University of East London, in London, Britain, May 6, 2026. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS
20 / 27
Sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark his 100th birthday in Morecambe
A drone view shows artists from the Sand In Your Eye art team putting the finishing touches to a giant sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark the conservationist's 100th birthday, on the beach in Morecambe, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Phil Noble
21 / 27
Investitures at Windsor Castle
Sir David Attenborough poses for a picture after being appointed as Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, following an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, Windsor, Britain June 8, 2022. Andrew Matthews/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
22 / 27
Sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark his 100th birthday in Morecambe
A drone view shows artists from the Sand In Your Eye art team putting the finishing touches to a giant sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark the conservationist's 100th birthday, on the beach in Morecambe, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Phil Noble
23 / 27
Sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark his 100th birthday in Morecambe
A drone view shows artists from the Sand In Your Eye art team putting the finishing touches to a giant sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark the conservationist's 100th birthday, on the beach in Morecambe, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Phil Noble
24 / 27
Sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark his 100th birthday in Morecambe
A drone view shows artists from the Sand In Your Eye art team putting the finishing touches to a giant sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark the conservationist's 100th birthday, on the beach in Morecambe, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Phil Noble
25 / 27
Shakira holds open concert at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro
Shakira performs during an open concert at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil May 2, 2026. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes
26 / 27
FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Labour Day holiday in China
FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: People enjoy the city lights at the Bund during the five-day Labour Day holiday in Shanghai, China May 4, 2025. REUTERS/Go Nakamura/File Photo/File Photo
27 / 27
LA28 ceremonial lighting of the cauldron ahead of ticket registration launch
Olympics - LA28 - Ceremonial lighting of the cauldron - LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California, U.S. - January 13, 2026 View on the day of the ceremonial lighting of the cauldron ahead of ticket registration launch. REUTERS/Daniel Cole
By Sergio Queiroz
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 11 (Reuters) - Jarbas Meneghini has made more than 3,000 plaster replicas of the soccer World Cup trophy from his workshop in Rio de Janeiro, to help fans root for Brazil to bring home the golden original from North America in July.
The 58-year-old craftsman had the idea for his business after he saw then-Brazil captain Dunga lift the trophy at the World Cup final in 1994.
"I saw Dunga holding the trophy and said I would buy one, but you can't find it anywhere," Meneghini said. "So I decided to make it myself using the technical skills I learned doing metalwork."
He now produces plaster replicas by hand, exporting them to 17 countries across the Americas and Europe. The replicas are produced from molds, with some painted in gold and others given a polished chrome finish.
Working near Rio's famed Maracana soccer stadium, he also sells the trophies to tourists and local fans.
"I make thousands of trophies from the same mold. Some are painted, and others I make more special, with chrome - they stand out more, you can see yourself reflected in them as you kiss them," he said.
Production rises with every World Cup cycle, driven by renewed hope among supporters.
While Brazil has won more World Cup titles than any other nation, it hasn't lifted the trophy since 2002. But a new opportunity is near.
Meneghini has already made 600 trophies ahead of this year's tournament, which is hosted by Mexico, Canada and the U.S. and kicks off on June 11. That represents a boost from the 100 to 200 replicas he used to make ahead of the World Cup.
"Brazil have gone a long time without winning it," he said. "Hope is in our hearts again."
(Reporting by Sergio Queiroz; Writing by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Q&A
What is the significance of the artisan crafting World Cup trophies in Rio?
The artisan's work symbolizes hope and pride for Brazil as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Where are the decorations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup being set up in Brazil?
Decorations for the World Cup are being set up in various locations, including Rua 3 street in the Alvorada neighborhood of Manaus, Amazonas state.
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in 2026, with preparations already underway.
How is Brazil preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Brazil is preparing for the World Cup by creating decorations and fostering local artisanship, reflecting national pride and anticipation.
