Hyundai expands World Cup role with record fleet and robot deployment

Hyundai Motor is preparing its biggest ever FIFA World Cup presence for the 2026 tournament, combining a vast transport operation with its first official robotics deployment at the competition.

The company said it will supply 994 passenger vehicles and 506 buses for the event, making this the largest fleet it has ever committed to a FIFA tournament. The vehicles will be used to support national teams, officials, media and tournament organisers across the 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The move marks another step in Hyundai’s long relationship with FIFA, which now stretches back 27 years. For the 2026 World Cup, however, Hyundai’s role goes beyond transport. The tournament will also be the first major event in which the company activates its renewed position as FIFA’s Official Robotics Partner.

A central part of that effort will be the deployment of four customised Boston Dynamics Spot robots. These machines are expected to assist with autonomous patrols and site monitoring at selected World Cup venues, including the International Broadcast Center in Dallas and the stadium in New York and New Jersey.

Hyundai says the robots are designed to improve operational efficiency and strengthen safety in busy, complex environments.

The company sees this as an important moment in presenting its broader vision of smart mobility, in which transport and robotics increasingly work together in practical, real-world settings.

Hyundai’s tournament fleet will include a broad mix of models such as the Palisade, Santa Fe, Tucson, Santa Cruz, Kona, Sonata, Elantra, Creta, Creta Grand and Genesis GV80. Some models will also be available in hybrid electric form.

According to Hyundai, the scale of the deployment is intended not only to ensure smooth tournament logistics but also to demonstrate the depth of its mobility offering on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.

Speaking about the announcement, the company said its long-standing partnership with FIFA reflects a shared emphasis on innovation, international cooperation and high operational standards. By combining transport solutions with robotics technology, Hyundai aims to help deliver a seamless experience throughout what will be the largest FIFA World Cup ever staged.