Chinese factory churns out World Cup trophies for soccer fans

It takes at least three days of filing, polishing, electroplating, heating and decorating for workers at this factory in southeast China to turn pieces of zinc alloy into products resembling the biggest prize in soccer -- the FIFA World Cup trophy.

    The factory of Taiwanese-owned metal accessories maker Wagon International Group, is in the process of manufacturing tens of thousands of replica World Cup trophies and other World Cup souvenirs, including badges and key-rings, for football fans across the world.

    In 2016, Wagon gained certification from FIFA for their products to be sold across the world except in Europe (including Russia) as official Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup merchandise. Achieving this took "years of communication with FIFA", an application and an undisclosed fee, says Jian Kaiping, Wagon's Sales and Marketing Director for FIFA-related operations. 

    This represents a step up for Wagon. The Dongguan-based company had FIFA certification for their products to be sold in East Asia and North America for the last two World Cups, in 2010 and 2014. 

    As a supplier of the officially certified merchandise, Wagon has to ensure its products meet certain requirements. For example, Wagon Group's vice-president, Perry Chou, says the replica World Cup trophies are made following strict rules on weight, gold content and height. 

    "In other words," Chou says, "all Cup replicas higher than 15cm in markets are definitely fake products."

    On the factory floor in Dongguan workers churn out hundreds of replica World Cup trophies each day, with a price range starting at 9RMB ($1.41) to a whopping 5680RMB ($892) for the biggest trophies. 

    The company predicts a 10 percent increase in sales of its FIFA souvenir products compared to 2014, with around a quarter of those sales expected in the China region. Replica trophies are expected to make up around a quarter of their sales of World Cup-themed products, according to Jian. 

    Jian estimates that half of the sales will come from official stores, like the Beijing Guoan FC's Official Fan Store at the workers' stadium in the Chinese capital. 

    The store manager, Su Meng, said he expects sales to increase nearly 20 percent compared to 2014, thanks in part to the growing popularity of the Chinese Super League. 

    Mascots are selling much better now, Su says, but the trophy sales will pick up closer to the World Cup. 

    While some Guoan fans, called the replica products "too expensive", others, including replica trophy collector Wang Boqian, said he would definitely be buying one at some point.

    "I think it's the most beautiful trophy in the world," Wang said.