Hyundai Jamaica customer wins World Cup semi final experience

Buying a new Hyundai has earned one Jamaican motorist the experience of a lifetime after Hyundai Jamaica awarded him an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final in Atlanta, Georgia.

The promotion forms part of Hyundai’s global partnership with FIFA, which gave eligible customers who purchased a Hyundai during the promotional period the opportunity to win one of football’s most sought-after experiences.

Raheem Welsh, a Junior Business Analyst who purchased a Hyundai Venue during the promotion, officially received his prize during a presentation ceremony at the Hyundai showroom on Wednesday, July 1. The prize includes two match tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final, round-trip airfare, hotel accommodation, and private airport transfers. Welsh was selected through a random draw conducted from all eligible vehicle purchases made during the promotional period.

Still reflecting on the moment he learned he had won, Welsh admitted he initially thought the call was not genuine. “When I got the call, I was so surprised that I actually asked if it was a prank,” he recalled. “Then it changed from disbelief to excitement because I have always wanted to attend a FIFA World Cup. To know that I am actually going is surreal.”

A lifelong football supporter and passionate Brazil fan, Welsh said attending a World Cup Semi-Final is something he never imagined would happen. “It means a lot because it will be my first World Cup experience. I am looking forward to taking in the atmosphere, enjoying the match, and making memories. I will also be taking my number one supporter, my mother, Tameka Lynch, with me.”

Welsh explained that his decision to purchase a Hyundai Venue came after researching vehicle options online before visiting the showroom for a test drive. “I loved the features and how comfortable it felt to drive,” he said.

“The customer service was ten out of ten, from the receptionist to my sales representative and everyone else I interacted with. If someone had told me buying a vehicle would lead to something like this, I would never have believed them.”

Hyundai Jamaica’s new General Manager, Andres Jaramillo, said the presentation reflects the company’s commitment to rewarding customers while connecting local motorists with opportunities created through Hyundai’s global partnerships.

 “Hyundai is proud to be one of FIFA’s global partners, and this promotion allowed us to bring that relationship directly to Jamaica,” he said. “Today is about thanking our customers for choosing Hyundai, and we are delighted that Mr. Welsh will have the opportunity to experience one of the world’s biggest sporting events firsthand.”

Jaramillo added that football’s popularity in Jamaica made the prize especially meaningful. “Jamaicans love football, and we know this will be an unforgettable experience. To see one of our customers representing Jamaica at such an important match makes this occasion even more special.”

Marketing Manager Carla Hollingsworth noted that the promotion reflects Hyundai’s wider philosophy of creating memorable customer experiences beyond vehicle ownership. “Hyundai is a global brand with partnerships that span sport, entertainment, and culture. Whenever possible, we want to bring those opportunities home so that our customers benefit from experiences that extend far beyond the driver’s seat,” she said.

“From the moment the promotion launched, customers immediately recognized that this wasn’t just another vehicle promotion. The opportunity to experience the FIFA World Cup in-person generated tremendous excitement because football holds a special place in Jamaican culture.”

Hollingsworth also revealed that Hyundai Jamaica will continue building on its FIFA partnership through its Play the Future initiative, which will see official FIFA footballs donated to youth football clubs across Jamaica as part of the brand’s continued support for grassroots football.

As anticipation builds for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Welsh now looks forward to witnessing one of football’s biggest matches in person, an experience made possible through Hyundai’s global partnership with FIFA and one that transformed a routine vehicle purchase into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.