Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
Kia took the opportunity to connect with football on the international stage while creating everlasting moments on and off the pitch. The Korean automaker is proud to represent FIFA’s Official Mobility Partner, bringing sporting aficionados closer to the excitement of the World Cup. After all, Inspiration Connects Us All ” is Kia’s poignant campaign anthem.
Without exaggeration, my 2026 FIFA World Cup experience in The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection this week was exceptionally impressive and awe-inspiring, as I attended a match at Lincoln Financial Field, home of my Philadelphia Eagles. In this Group E matchup, Curacao took on Côte d’Ivoire, pairing a rising contender with one of Africa’s most established football powers. We rolled up to the stadium in style for tailgating and camaraderie with Kia, which is providing a sea of vehicles to FIFA, hosting media and VIPs, and executing Stadium Fan Experiences on game days featuring Kia activations where guests can create their own custom player card.
Utilizing the heroics of the new 2027 Kia Telluride, we set course to a few iconic Philadelphia locations while visiting the historically charming city such as Boathouse Row, the Ben Franklin Bridge, the Rocky Statue located at the top of the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the popular LOVE Sculpture at JFK Plaza where locals and tourists alike visit incessantly for uplifting selfies with friends and family.
The partnership between Kia and FIFA is pretty extensive. In total, Kia is deploying a 660-vehicle fleet across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which covers everything from VIP transport to operational logistics. Back in Los Angeles, Kia and FIFA staged a vehicle handover ceremony. Eight production-ready models rolled into position; purposeful, polished, and right on time. The convoy features the Telluride, Sportage, Carnival, Sorento, K4 & K4 Hatchback, and the Niro.
“We’re proud to support the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the Official Mobility Partner,” said SeungKyu (Sean) Yoon, President and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America. “This vehicle handover represents more than just the future of mobility; it reflects Kia’s commitment to innovation, global connectivity, and enhancing the overall tournament experience.”
Curaçao, the Caribbean dark horse with something to prove, lined up against Côte d’Ivoire, the West African football powerhouse that arrived in North America with pedigree, pace, and zero intention of yielding its recent dominance. This wasn’t a warm-up game, but a battle between ambition and experience, and all 68,324 occupied seats in the stadium had a front-row view. Côte d’Ivoire punched their ticket to the Round of 32 with a 2-0 authoritative win, finishing second in Group E on the strength of victories over Ecuador and Curaçao. Budding star Nicolas Pepe scored twice, including a shot within the first seven minutes.
“It’s a source of pride and joy,” stated Pepe after the match. “We’ve qualified for the knockout stage, so for the people of Côte d’Ivoire, this is a source of pride.”
Our chariot of choice—the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige AWD model—for the highway excursion up Interstate 95 North from Maryland to Philadelphia was ultra-smooth, entertaining, and full of amenities. The remodeled Telluride enters the stage ripe with confidence and the capabilities to back it up both on and off-road. Encompassing Kia’s Opposites United design approach, the larger, sculpted, and muscular Telluride is 2.3” longer and bolder, which is the silhouette customers gravitate towards.
My Terrain Brown X-Pro came accentuated with black contrasting roof rails, grille, wheel well surrounds, side skirts, mirrors, and rear bumper. The rugged SUV is backed by increased ground clearance, an upgraded suspension to handle challenging topographies, 18” Black alloy rims paired with wider Continental CrossContact all-terrain tires, and front and rear tow hooks. The second-row sanctuary features reclining captain chairs and a 5.8” control center for audio, climate, and massage settings, making the Korean SUV perfect for the energy manifested by the World Cup Philly action.
Kia has been FIFA’s official partner since 2007 and represents a relationship now entering its third decade with a commitment that runs through 2030. From transportation and autonomous driving technologies to next-generation mobility services, Kia isn’t just riding shotgun at this World Cup; the brand is in the driver’s seat as we cruise into the final match on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Good luck to your soccer nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
