Kia Successfully Concludes 'OMBC Cup' Youth Football Tournament Linked to FIFA World Cup 2026

63 Youth Players from 9 Countries Exchange Experiences
Football Legends Join as Coaches and Managers

Kia, an official sponsor of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), announced on April 15 that it had successfully hosted the 'OMBC Cup,' a global youth football tournament that expands upon the core partnership program of the 'FIFA World Cup 2026,' the Official Match Ball Carrier (OMBC).

The OMBC program selects children who deliver the official match ball to referees and walk onto the field with the players before World Cup matches. As an official sponsor, Kia exclusively operates this program.

World Cup Global Ambassador Thierry Henry and youth players who participated in the 'OMBC Cup.' Kia

Kia has taken the program a step further, moving beyond the symbolic moment of delivering the ball, by organizing the 'OMBC Cup,' where children selected for the OMBC program from around the world can directly participate in the journey toward the World Cup.

Through this initiative, Kia aimed to embody the concept of the '49th team'—a symbolic idea that goes beyond the 48 countries competing in the World Cup finals—representing a team of the next generation connected beyond borders and cultures.

Furthermore, the OMBC Cup reflects Kia’s vision of a new type of World Cup community centered around youth, connecting people through football.

Kia announced the successful event by releasing a highlight sketch video capturing key moments of the tournament through the 'Kia World Wide Channel.'

The tournament, held at LA Galaxy Park in Los Angeles, United States, featured 63 youth players selected from nine countries around the world.

The event was organized in a group stage and tournament format, providing a platform where youth players could compete and showcase their skills, while also exchanging experiences, challenges, and inspiration across borders through football.

Notably, World Cup Global Ambassador and legendary footballer Thierry Henry, along with other football legends representing their respective countries, participated as coaches and managers, offering mentorship and on-site guidance to the youth players, adding even greater significance to the event.

A Kia representative stated, "The 'OMBC Cup' was a stage where children could experience the journey toward the World Cup firsthand and connect with each other," adding, "Kia will continue to support these moments of challenge and inspiration, ensuring that the next generation takes its first steps into the World Cup."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.