The Art of Getting Your Mark on the Biggest Stage
Remember when you were a kid and dreamed of seeing your artwork displayed somewhere epic? Well, two young artists from the UK have just had that dream realised in the most spectacular way possible. Hyundai Motor UK has revealed the winning artworks from England and Scotland that will feature on the Official National Team Buses at the FIFA World Cup 2026. And yes, these aren’t your average doodles, they’re about to travel across the United States, Canada, and Mexico with actual national football teams.
How It All Started
A Global Call to Creative Arms – The competition, announced in December 2025, invited children aged 5–12 to capture the moments that define what the FIFA World Cup means to them through original artwork. Think of it as giving young fans a genuine seat at the table, rather than having them simply cheer from the sidelines. From a global pool of entries, 48 winning designs were selected, one for each qualified nation.
Meet the Winners: Christopher and Sean’s Moment of Glory
England’s Golden Ticket: The winning design for England was created by Christopher Simmons, whose illustration captures a crowd of jubilant England fans, faces painted with the St George’s Cross, holding flags and banners in front of some of London’s most recognisable landmarks: Big Ben, a classic red double-decker bus, and the London Eye. Christopher, aged 12, expressed his disbelief and excitement: “I was so thrilled and surprised when I found out I won because football is my favourite sport! It’s incredible that my drawing will be on the England team bus, and I still cannot believe it.”
Scotland’s Bold Statement: The winning design for Scotland was created by Sean McIntosh, aged 13. His illustration is split into two bold halves: the Saltire rendered in deep blue and white with “Scotland” inscribed across it in striking lettering, alongside a group of Scottish players in their dark blue kit, arms around one another in celebration. Sean said: “I couldn’t believe it when I got the news that I had won the competition, it feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am so excited to see my design on the team bus as well as the Scotland team in action in Boston!”
The Prize That Keeps Giving
Here’s where it gets really good.Each winning child and one accompanying guardian will receive an exclusive prize package including tickets to a Group Stage match, return flights, and accommodation at the tournament. Not bad for a drawing competition, eh?
Beyond the Canvas: A Broader VisionThe ‘Be There With Hyundai’ initiative forms part of Hyundai Motor’s ‘Next Starts Now’ global campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which celebrates the role of the next generation in shaping a better future.The initiative has been a cornerstone of Hyundai’s FIFA World Cup involvement since 2006, and this year takes its most ambitious form yet, placing children’s creative visions at the heart of the world’s biggest football event.
According to Sungwon Jee, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company: “Through ‘Be There With Hyundai,’ we’ve created a platform where children’s voices and creative dreams reach the world’s biggest stage. As part of our World Cup campaign ‘Next Starts Now’, this initiative is designed to turn the next generation’s dreams into reality by giving them a meaningful place in the tournament itself.”
Your Turn to Play: The Fan Engagement Factor.
Throughout the tournament, fans attending matches across the host cities can engage with the campaign by photographing the Official National Team Buses featuring the winning artworks and sharing images on social media using #BeThereWithHyundai for a chance to win exclusive prizes from Hyundai Motor. It’s a brilliant way to turn passive spectators into active participants in the World Cup experience.
Tarmac Takeaway
What makes this campaign genuinely special isn’t just that two kids get to see their artwork on a bus (though that’s undeniably cool). It’s the philosophical shift it represents, giving the next generation a tangible voice in one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events. Rather than simply supporting from afar, these young artists are actively making their mark on football history.
In a world where kids are often told to “sit down and watch,” Hyundai has instead said: “Pick up a pencil and help write the story.” That’s the kind of approach that makes us sit up and take notice.
