Kia Canada Launches Inspiring Stories Program to Find FIFA World Cup 26™ Official Match Ball Carriers
- Kia Canada is looking for 13 youths to be Official Match Ball Carriers for the FIFA World Cup 26™
- Six youth will be selected through the Inspiring Stories Program
- Seven youth will be selected through National soccer tryouts and participate in the Official Match Ball Carrier Cup
TORONTO, Nov. 24, 2025 /CNW/ - The FIFA World Cup 26™ is coming to Canada, and Kia Canada, a proud FIFA partner, is giving 13 Canadian youth a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be an Official Match Ball Carrier (OMBC).
The Official Match Ball Carriers will take centre stage, bringing the official match ball to the referee at one Canadian-hosted match during the FIFA World Cup 26™ in Toronto or Vancouver, marking the start of each game.
"We're so excited to give young Canadians the opportunity to live out their dreams of stepping on a FIFA World Cup pitch as an Official Match Ball Carrier," says Michael Kopke, Director of Marketing at Kia Canada. "The Inspiring Stories program is an opportunity to spotlight Canadian youth who are inspiring others through their actions and give them the chance to be part of the biggest sporting event in the world."
There are two ways to qualify to become an Official Match Ball Carrier at the FIFA World Cup 26™. The first is through the Official Match Ball Carrier Cup, where team selection is already underway, and the second is through the new Inspiring Stories Program.
Official Match Ball Carrier Cup
Kia Canada is in the process of selecting seven athletes to be Official Match Ball Carriers and represent Canada at the Official Match Ball Carrier Cup, an international soccer tournament in Los Angeles in 2026. The Canadian OMBC team will compete against nine other countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, England, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain and the United States, to bring home the OMBC Cup.
Regional qualifiers have concluded, and the final 25 athletes will participate in the National Final Tryout in Toronto in January.
Inspiring Stories
The search is on! Do you know an inspiring Canadian youth who loves soccer? Kia Canada is looking for six Canadian youth, born between June 2011 – July 2016, to become Official Match Ball Carriers at FIFA World Cup 26™.
Starting today, parents or guardians can nominate a Canadian youth through a video submission. We want to know:
- Do they have a remarkable, unique story?
- Are they bold? Tell us how they overcome challenges, drive progress, or make a difference
- Do they inspire others through their actions
- Are they passionate about soccer?
Registration is now open at Kia.ca/OMBC and closes on November 30, 2025. The OMBC Inspiring Stories Program is open to Canadian youth born between June 2011 – July 2016.
For more information about the Official Match Ball Carrier program, visit Kia.ca/OMBC.
About Kia Canada
Kia Canada Inc., founded in 1999, is a subsidiary of Kia Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. The company employs over 190 people at its headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, as well as in locations across Canada and at its regional office in Montréal, Québec. Kia offers award winning products that are dynamic, stylish and innovative and services that are meaningful and convenient through a network of nearly 200 dealers across the country. The company's brand slogan – 'Movement that inspires' reflects Kia's desire to create the space for you to get inspired and more time to bring your ideas to life. To learn more, visit kia.ca or Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
SOURCE Kia Canada Inc.