Official Match Ball Carrier

FIFA Official Match Ball Carrier Where Young Dreams Move Forward

The 49th Team Creating the Opening Moment of the FIFA World Cup 2026™

Kia creates the very first moment
of the FIFA World Cup™.

As the world watches,
the FIFA World Cup™ begins with OMBC.
The Official Match Ball Carrier (OMBC) is
a program operated by Kia,
inviting children onto the pitch
to deliver the official match ball
to the referee —
formally signaling
the start of the match. Each child is
personally selected and invited by Kia.
In that defining moment,
they step into the very heart
of the world's biggest stage.

Official Match Ball Carrier, the 49th Team of the FIFA World Cup 2026™

As 48 countries gather for an unprecedented FIFA World Cup 2026™, one more team stands ready. Together, we are the 49th Team.

Selected through local auditions, global football talents convene at the Kia OMBC Cup 2026™. Beyond a tournament, this is a platform where inspiration meets connection. Mentored by legends, these children cultivate new friendships and bond through universal language of football. United by their passion, they step onto the FIFA World Cup™ stage as the 49th Team. Follow their path — an extraordinary journey defined by shared dreams and the transformative power of sport.

Phase 1

The Calling

A Call Toward a Dream

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Phase 2

Local Audition

Choose by Legends

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Phase 3

Kia OMBC Cup 2026^TM

Becoming One Team

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Phase 4

FIFA Wordl Cup 2026^TM

The 49th Team Stepping onto the FIFA World Cup™ Stage

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Phase 1: The Calling

A Call Toward a Dream

FIFA World Cup-winning legend Thierry Henry embarks on a mission to assemble the 49th Team of the FIFA World Cup 2026™: the OMBC. Answering his call, icons of the game from around the world join one by one, marking the start of a journey to forge the 49th Team.

Through the draw, Thierry Henry unveils the participating countries of the Kia OMBC Cup, alongside the FIFA World Cup 2026™: the 49th Team.

English football legend Rio Ferdinand answers Thierry Henry's call and joins the journey to select the UK OMBC.

Mexican football legend Jorge Campos joins the journey to help select the Mexico OMBC, showcasing his iconic jersey.

Spanish football legend David Villa joins the 49th Team, carrying the passion of Spain onto the world stage.

Korean football legend Ahn Jung-hwan joins the journey to carry on the legacy of the 2002 FIFA World Cup™.

Phase 2: Local Audition

Chosen by Legends

Across 10 countries around the world, legends and coaches set out to find the children who would join the OMBC journey. What mattered most went beyond skill. Children who embody five values — Passion, Courage, Resilience, Joy, and Inspiration — are chosen as the new members of the 49th Team.

Thierry Henry introduces the Official Match Ball Carriers — the 49th to join the FIFA World Cup™ — and shares their stories with the world.

Football legends and coaches from around the world join the journey to build the 49th Team, heading to local auditions to select the OMBCs.

At local auditions, football legends and coaches selected the young players who best embodied the values of the 49th Team.

The selected OMBCs share their thoughts on the values that define the 49th Team and what those values mean to them.

Meet the OMBCs from each country on their journey to becoming the 49th Team.

Phase 3: Kia OMBC Cup 2026™

Becoming One Team

For the first time, the OMBCs selected from each country come together in Los Angeles. The Kia OMBC Cup 2026™ is more than just a tournament. Under the guidance of legends, the children move beyond competition to understand one another and grow together — becoming the true 49th Team, ready to step onto the FIFA World Cup 2026™ stage.

Coming Soon (June 19)

The OMBCs selected from each country gather in Los Angeles for the first time to take part in the Kia OMBC Cup 2026™. Now, their second journey begins.

Through training with football legends at the Kia OMBC Cup 2026™, the OMBCs grow — developing not only their football skills, but also the values of the 49th Team.

The OMBCs are now ready to step onto the FIFA World Cup 2026™ stage as members of the 49th Team. Cheer on the children of the 49th Team — and the head coach and coaches who guided them to this next chapter.

Under the guidance of football legends and coaches at the Kia OMBC Cup 2026™, the OMBCs compete alongside peers from other countries — learning the values of the 49th Team and growing together.

Phase 4: FIFA World Cup 2026™

The 49th Team Stepping onto the FIFA World Cup™ Stage

Now, the children step onto the FIFA World Cup 2026™ stage. As they enter the pitch carrying the official match ball, they become part of the opening moment of the match. And even after the final whistle, the journey of challenge and growth that began with the 49th Team continues on.

Coming Soon (July 9)

Coming Soon (July 16)

Coming Soon (July 20)

The children have long dreamed of stepping onto the FIFA World Cup™ stage — and now, as Official Match Ball Carriers, they finally take their place on that stage.

The OMBCs signal the start of the FIFA World Cup™ match, while the legends watch on and cheer them on.

The FIFA World Cup™ — the world's greatest stage of dreams — may have come to a close, but the journey of the 49th Team is far from over. Look forward to the day they step onto that stage once again — this time, as players.

FIFA World Cup 2026™ — Together with OMBC

The journey of the 49th Team does not end with the opening of the match. As an official partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Kia continues to create more unforgettable moments of the tournament — beginning with OMBC.

Experience Beyond the Match

The excitement that begins inside the stadium extends far beyond it. As an official partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Kia expands the tournament experience — from mobility to connection.

Official Vehicle Support

Kia has long supported the mobility of players and officials across FIFA international tournaments, ensuring that every moment flows seamlessly.

Youth and Future Generation Programs

From youth and women’s tournaments to futsal and the FIFA eWorld Cup™, Kia continues to support football’s future — staying closest to the moment when the sport becomes a dream.

FIFA Fan Festival

A global gathering place beyond the stadium, where Kia connects the passion of football with culture and celebration through mobility - centered experiences.

Brand Booth

A space to experience the present and future of mobility. Through its EV lineup, Kia shares its vision for electrification and sustainability.

OMBC has long invited children to take part in the opening moment of the FIFA World Cup™. The OMBC Cup transforms their own challenge into an experience of growth.

And at the moment they deliver the official match ball, the match officially begins.

Kia continues the journey with them at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, ensuring their beginning becomes part of the FIFA World Cup™'s memory.