The hero of the 1966 FIFA World Cup, Pickles!
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 coming soon, fans are feeling excited and nervous. To break the ice, here’s a fun and true story to enjoy before the big games begin—how a dog helped save the World Cup in 1966.
That year was a big one for England as they hosted the prestigious tournament. Before the games started, the Jules Rimet Trophy would be displayed at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. However, someone broke in and stole the trophy.
A week passed, and no one could find it—even the police. People were worried that the World Cup might get cancelled due to this event.
However, on a random morning walk with a man named David Corbett and his dog, Pickles, in South London, the dog started sniffing around some bushes and found a package wrapped in newspaper. Inside that was the missing World Cup trophy!
Pickles became a star overnight, and everyone called him a hero for finding the trophy and saving the tournament. Thanks to Pickles, the 1966 World Cup went ahead as planned.
In a happy ending, England also won the tournament, lifting the same trophy that Pickles had found.
