Lost piece of original World Cup trophy found in FIFA's basement

A piece of FIFA's original World Cup trophy has been rediscovered and is set to be displayed in FIFA's museum. 

A staff member found the four-inch tall octagonal piece of blue semi-precious lapis lazuli stone in the basement of FIFA's headquarters in Zurich, according to the Associated Press. The stone is emblazoned with the names of the winners of the first four World Cups, Uruguay and Italy, who each won the tournament twice between 1930 and 1950. 

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Uncovering this piece helps close a sordid period in the trophy's history. The trophy was given a new base prior to the 1954 World Cup. Twelve years later, the statue was stolen in London during the lead up to that year's World Cup. It was later rediscovered by a dog named Pickles.

The Jules Rimet trophy, named after one of the founders of FIFA, was then given permanently to Brazil after the country's third World Cup win in 1970. In 1983, it was stolen again and has remained unrecovered.

"We thought (the base) was lost in Brazil," FIFA museum director David Asseil said. "We think no FIFA president has seen it since Jules Rimet himself."

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The World Football Museum is currently under construction in Zurich. It is set to open in 2016. 

- Christopher Woody