Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 9, 2025: Kia Corporation today announced the launch of the Kia OMBC Cup under the slogan “Road to America”, a newly introduced youth tournament to be hosted in Riyadh by Kia that will see 24 elite academy teams compete for the chance to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the global stage.
As part of the Official Match Ball Carrier (OMBC) programme, the championship offers the winning team the opportunity to qualify for the international finals in the United States in 2026, where they will compete alongside youth teams from 10 countries worldwide.
Taking place from October 9 to 11, 2025, at the O15 Academy in Riyadh, the championship will gather the stars of the future from leading sports academies across the city, giving them an exceptional platform to showcase their skills in a competitive and inspiring environment. The organising committee has confirmed that all technical and logistical preparations are complete, and applications are now open for teams born between 2012 and 2015.
This year’s championship is expected to witness fierce competition as 24 teams battle it out, reflecting the strength and depth of emerging football talent in Riyadh.
The tournament has received approval from the Riyadh branch of the Ministry of Sports, the Amateur Football Association, and the Community Sports Association. To ensure the highest standards of fairness and discipline, certified referees will officiate the matches in cooperation with the Referees Committee in the Central Region.
These steps form part of a series of measures aimed at creating a safe and stimulating competitive environment, enabling young players to perform at their very best.
Academy teams can register via the dedicated link: https://forms.gle/okRYcKAcGT7rZgbS6
Teams must complete all player details and confirm that participants meet the specified age requirements. The organizing committee will closely monitor the receipt and sorting of applications before finalizing the list of participating teams.
The Kia OMBC Cup is a steppingstone for Riyadh’s young athletes to take their talent beyond local arenas and onto the world stage. Through initiatives like this, Kia continues to support youth development while contributing to strengthening the Kingdom’s presence in world football, celebrating the spirit that unites players and fans alike.
Kia Corporation – About Us
Kia (www.kia.com) is a global mobility brand with a vision to create sustainable mobility solutions for consumers, communities, and societies around the world. Founded in 1944, Kia has been providing mobility solutions for more than 75 years. With 52,000 employees worldwide, a presence in more than 190 markets, and manufacturing facilities in six countries, the company today sells around three million vehicles a year. Kia is spearheading the popularization of electrified and battery electric vehicles and developing a growing range of mobility services, encouraging millions of people around the world to explore the best ways of getting around. The company’s brand slogan – ‘Movement that inspires’ – reflects Kia’s commitment to inspire consumers through its products and services.
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