Hyundai kicks off World Cup 2006 support

In its first role as an official partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Hyundai provided the cars for the eagerly awaited Final Draw in Leipzig.

The Korean car giant Hyundai is now geared up to play a lead role in the 2006 World Cup. As the official car partner of the tournament, Hyundai will provide nearly 1,000 cars in the host nation alone to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Throughout the tournament, all FIFA officials, from its president, Joseph S. Blatter, through to match referees and officials, will be transported in Hyundai’s luxury fleet of official World Cup cars.

Hyundai’s huge fleet, which will include numerous highly specified Sonata saloons and Trajet people carriers, will also be on hand next summer to welcome guests from around the world.

UK Marketing Director, Jim Campbell, said: "With the Final Draw completed, the count down is now officially on. As well as providing a substantial fleet of support vehicles for the host country, here in the UK and elsewhere in the world, Hyundai is gearing up to stage some superb events aimed at bringing fans closer than ever to this incredible sporting event."

In all 32 qualified nations Hyundai will stage a Goodwill Ball Tour, where fans can sign a massive football offering their best wishes to their home nation team. All 32 balls will then be brought together for a Goodwill Ball Finale the eve before the opening match.

Furthermore, through Hyundai, fans will have the chance to see their logo design on the side of their home nation’s team bus at the tournament with the ‘Be There With Hyundai’ competition.

Fans will also have the chance to be the star of the show through Hyundai’s ‘Fan of the Match’ programme, aimed at celebrating those individuals who go that extra mile somehow in their support, such as dressing up in costume.

Finally, football players as well as fans can join in the fun by entering Hyundai’s global five-a-side tournament, open to all countries, including those that failed to qualify.

In the case of the UK, the winners will have the chance to go through to a European final and ultimately the world final in Germany at the time of the FIFA World Cup.

More information about these activities, including UK dates, venues and entry details will be revealed in the New Year.