Lego creates giant World Cup trophy from 1.3 million bricks

Toy brand Lego has unveiled an 8.4-metre-high replica of the World Cup trophy outside the Rockefeller Center in New York.

Built from over a million bricks, the oversized World Cup was built at the fan park in Rockefeller Plaza for this year's tournament, which is being held in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The 25:1 scale model is an enlarged version of a commercially available 1:1 size Lego World Cup trophy that the brand launched ahead of this year's tournament.

"The goal of the Lego World Cup Trophy is to unite people through the love of football and play," said Lego senior designer Christophe Vietti.

"This build brings that celebration to a whole new level and acts as a landmark for the FIFA Fan Fest as a destination in the final stages of the tournament."

The structure is wrapped around a steel frame and was transported to the site in 16 large sections.

It replicates the FIFA World Cup Trophy, which was first awarded to the winner of the FIFA World Cup in 1974 and has been given to every winner since.

Both the real size and giant Lego versions aim to replicate the trophy's globe-like top and supporting figures.

"The biggest challenge was the organic shape and different textures of the original trophy," said Vietti.

"We had to get creative with how we used the Lego bricks to ensure all the curves and small details stood out. We also put a lot of energy into making the [1:1-scale] trophy super sturdy to allow kids to celebrate and lift it alongside their favourite players."

According to Lego, the model is one of the largest structures ever built from the toy bricks.

"The numbers on this installation are mind-blowing: 8.4 meters and more than 1,360,000 Lego bricks!" said Vietti. "It's the biggest mobile build ever made."

"The Lego model production team did an amazing job putting it together in only eight months and the awe in the eyes of the kids seeing it in Rockefeller Center confirms we are inspiring the next generation of football fans and future Lego builders," he continued.

Lego also recently unveiled what is set to be its largest set – a model of the Sagrada Familia, a cathedral in Barcelona, which will comprise 12,060 pieces.

The photography is courtesy of Lego.

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