Hyundai Motor is set to play its most extensive role yet at the FIFA World Cup 2026, supplying its largest tournament fleet to date while also introducing robotics technology to the event for the first time.
The company has confirmed that it will provide 994 passenger vehicles and 506 buses for the competition, underlining the scale of its involvement as the tournament prepares to span 16 host cities across the United States (US), Canada and Mexico. The fleet will be used to move national teams, officials, media representatives and operational staff throughout the event.
The announcement builds on Hyundai’s long-standing relationship with FIFA, which has now reached 27 years. While the company has long been associated with tournament transport, the 2026 edition marks a broader expansion of its role.
For the first time, Hyundai will also bring its robotics capability to the World Cup as part of its position as FIFA’s Official Robotics Partner. Four customised Boston Dynamics Spot robots are expected to be deployed to assist with patrol and monitoring tasks at selected venues, including the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas and the stadium in New York and New Jersey in the US.
According to Hyundai, the robots are intended to support safety and operational efficiency in busy event environments, highlighting the company’s effort to combine traditional mobility services with newer smart technologies.
The vehicle line-up for the tournament will include models such as the Palisade, Santa Fe, Tucson, Santa Cruz, Kona, Sonata, Elantra, Creta, Creta Grand and Genesis GV80, with hybrid versions available for some of them.
Hyundai says the dual deployment of vehicles and robotics reflects its broader ambition to present itself not only as a carmaker but as a wider mobility and technology company. With the 2026 World Cup set to be the largest in FIFA’s history, the event offers Hyundai a major platform to showcase both the scale of its transport capabilities and its growing interest in robotics.
Audi South Africa has introduced the new Q5 range, comprising the third-generation Q5 SUV, second-generation Q5 Sportback, and the performance-focused SQ5 SUV and SQ5 Sportback. The range is built on Audi's Premium Platform Combustion and brings a new generation of petrol and diesel engines to the nameplate.
Geely Auto South Africa (GASA) has introduced Riddara, Geely Auto Group's new energy bakkie brand, to the South African market.
Ford’s next big electric vehicle push is less about a dramatic new badge and more about what happens behind factory doors.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Cars are the ultimate symbol of freedom, independence and individualism. They offer the freedom to ‘go anywhere,’ whenever it suits and with whom one chooses.
Sarah Redshaw
The Toyota Starlet has improved from zero to a four-star rating for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP's latest #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test results. This follows a safety upgrade to make six airbags a standard fit.
South Africa's new vehicle market sustained strong momentum in August 2026, with aggregate sales increasing by 11,4% year-on-year to 57 898 units, says the Automotive Business Councill | naamsa.
South Africa’s new-vehicle market maintained its momentum in August, with aggregate sales of 57 898 units representing an increase of 11.4% compared with the same month last year.
