Hyundai Motor Brings Atlas Humanoid Robot to FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Historic Live Match Integration

Seoul, South Korea / East Rutherford, New Jersey – 5 July 2026 – Hyundai Motor Company has showcased Boston Dynamics' Atlas humanoid robot during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match, marking the first-ever integration of a humanoid robot into a live FIFA World Cup match environment. As the tournament's Official Robotics Partner, Hyundai used the halftime activation to demonstrate Atlas' advanced mobility and real-world capabilities before a global audience.

During the halftime show, Atlas emerged from the players' tunnel and performed football-inspired goal celebrations before delivering the ceremonial match ball to the referee. The demonstration highlighted the robot's ability to operate reliably in a dynamic stadium environment using technologies such as retargeting, reinforcement learning, and whole-body motion control.

Sungwon Jee, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company, said:

“As part of Hyundai's 'Next Starts Now' campaign, we wanted Atlas's performance on the world's biggest stage to demonstrate that the future isn't something we imagine—it starts now. We are committed to developing human-centered innovation that integrates seamlessly into everyday life.”

Alberto Rodriguez, Director of Robotics Behavior at Boston Dynamics, said:

“The way we trained Atlas to perform these movements is similar to how we teach the robot to take on real-world industrial applications. It's a great way to introduce people to the potential of today's AI-enabled robots.”

Hyundai said the FIFA World Cup appearance represents the first public demonstration of the production version of Atlas outside controlled environments since its debut at CES 2026. The company plans to continue showcasing the robot through behind-the-scenes content and a documentary titled “The Training Ground,” while advancing its broader vision of integrating robotics, AI, and human-centered innovation into real-world applications.