Two weeks before the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ kicks off, a total of 954 vehicles have been handed over by Official Partners Hyundai Motor (530 vehicles) and Kia Motors (424 vehicles) to FIFA to help with logistical operations during world football's showpiece event. A handover event took place at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, which will host the Opening Match between Russia and Saudi Arabia in 14 days' time - as well as the Final on Sunday 15 July.

The 954-strong fleet of vehicles - including Hyundai's Santa Fe, Tucson, and Starex models and Kia's K9, Sorento, Sportage and Ceed models - will transport the national football teams, referees, officials, delegates and VIPs during the tournament.

The handover ceremony was attended by Jay Neuhaus, Head of Marketing Rights Delivery & Hospitality at FIFA, Eduardo Solis, Head of Partnerships and Promotions at FIFA, Alexey Sorokin, Chairman & CEO, FIFA Local Organising Committee, and football legend Nemanja Vidic, former Manchester United, Spartak Moscow, and Serbian national team player.

“We are proud to again partner with FIFA for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™, the biggest international sporting tournament in the world,” Minsoo Kim, Vice President of Hyundai Motor’s Marketing Division said. “Transport is an important logistical element at an event of this scale. As the FIFA World Cup™’s Official Automotive Partner, we are committed to assisting the event organizers with running a streamlined event, just as we are committed to caring for our customers by ensuring special and rewarding Hyundai ownership experiences the world over.”

“The 2018 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner and it’s a really important global event for millions of football fans all over the world,” Jeong Won-jeong, President of Kia Motors Russia said. “We are excited to be involved in making the 2018 FIFA World Cup a success, and we look forward to bringing people closer to the Kia brand through this major event.”

“Hyundai Motor has been our Official Partner since 1999 and we are grateful for its support in supplying a quality fleet to assist with this year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.” Jean-François Pathy, FIFA Director Marketing Services, said. “Hyundai Motor hold an important role in the operational success of our events. Their vehicles will ensure a smooth operation of the event, enabling us to transport players, media and officials throughout the tournament. Both FIFA and Hyundai Motor share a passion for football and we are ready to deliver the excitement of the beautiful game to fans around the globe.”

Hyundai Motor and FIFA also today unveiled the official Russia 2018 national team buses, with slogans chosen by supporters. As part of the 'Be There With Hyundai' competition across FIFA's digital platforms, each slogan was chosen from approximately 160,000 submissions from fans across the world, with 3.45 million votes ultimately helping decide the winning slogans.

In a once-in-a-life-time-experience, the 32 slogan entry winners will watch their national teams compete, and experience riding on the national team’s bus convoy on match day.

The 'Be There With Hyundai' competition was the first of a series of collaborations to encourage global football fans to enjoy Russia 2018 even more - with the FIFA World Cup™ Predictor, Hyundai Goal of the Tournament, the 'Fortune Drive to Russia' and the 'Hyundai Cheering Stadium by Fans' initiatives all taking place in the coming weeks as excitement levels for the World Cup reach fever pitch.

Kia and FIFA will also offer football fans several opportunities to get involved in World Cup festivities under its ‘Get into the game’ participation campaign. To begin with, Kia will give a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to 64 children across the world, inviting them to Russia as ‘Official Match Ball Carriers’ for each of the FIFA World Cup™ matches.

The company will also offer other opportunities for fans to get involved in the action, with their 'Champ into the Arena' and 'Lucky Drive to Russia' initiatives. You can learn more of Hyundai and Kia's collaborations at Hyundai's official website and Kia's official Facebook page.