Mexico: BMW M2
Did you know that every single example worldwide of the current BMW M2 is built in Mexico? As one of the three host nations, that’d give the littlest M car a real home advantage in the Car World Cup, especially given the relatively easy competition it’s drawn for the group stages.
South Korea: Kia EV6 GT
A stronger South Korean squad might have earned comparison with the nation’s current performance hero, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, but as it stands, an unpopular coach playing it relatively safe means the country is instead represented here by its sister car, the still very good but not quite spectacular Kia EV6 GT.
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Czech Republic: Skoda Superb Estate
Hard-working, practical and dependable underdogs appearing in the World Cup for the first time since 2006—that’s the headline with this year’s Czech team, making this one nice and easy. Do cars get more hard-working, practical, dependable or underdoggish than Czechia’s own Skoda Superb Estate? We think not.
South Africa: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk5
Though they qualified as the host nation in 2010, this year is the first since 2002 that South Africa has made it to the World Cup on results, so the team’s looking to make amends after that run of mediocrity. Where have we heard something similar in the automotive world? With the sensational fifth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI. As an added bonus, the Mk5 Golf (though not the GTI) was built in South Africa for some markets.
Switzerland: Saab 9-5
Switzerland has a proven record as a strong contender, 2026 marking the nation’s seventh consecutive international tournament appearance, but it’s never quite been able to get out of the shadow of bigger rivals—a lot like the Saab 9-5. Although last time we checked, Switzerland still exists, unlike Saab.
Canada: Dodge Challenger Hellcat
Canada is another joint host that can rely on a domestic automotive industry for a home advantage, for while the supercharged Dodge Challenger Hellcat appeared as American as a bald eagle diving headfirst into some of mom’s apple pie, it was actually built by the country’s polite northern neighbours. With at least 707hp on tap, the Hellcat suits the fast, energetic style of play being pushed by coach Jesse Marsch, too.
Qatar: Lexus LX
The fourth-generation Lexus LX, one of Qatar’s favorite cars and essentially a posh Toyota Land Cruiser, is the best one yet, just as Qatar’s football team is at its strongest ever, qualifying for the World Cup on results for the first time this year. And yet, just as there are many teams to bet on in terms of performance over Qatar, we’re not entirely sure why you wouldn’t just get a Land Cruiser.
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Caterham R500
Bosnia-Herzegovina, a nation with a population roughly the same as Greater Manchester, has already delivered one of the World Cup’s biggest underdog stories when it prevented Italy from qualifying with a win on penalties. Anyone else getting flashbacks to when the little Caterham R500 minced the likes of the Zonda F, MC12 and Enzo around the TG Test Track?
Scotland: Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
And not just because it was built near Glasgow, although that definitely helps. The World Cup knockout stages have always been elusive to Scotland, but 2026 is reckoned to be one of the squad’s best shots yet at slaying a few giants, just as the Lotus-fettled Sunbeam, from comparative minnow Talbot, did when it won the 1981 World Rally Championship.
Morocco: Dacia Duster
Long considered underdogs, the Moroccan squad now stands firmly as one of the best on the planet, with a world ranking of eighth. It’s essentially the same trajectory taken by the Dacia Duster in recent years as it’s quickly become one of our very favorite dependable all-rounders—and it also happens to be one of Morocco’s most popular cars.
Brazil: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8
Brazil is one of the absolute titans of world football, having racked up a record of five World Cups. Despite that, it’s seen a bit of a dip in form lately, which it’s aiming to course-correct with some small but important changes. Remind you of anything? Yep, the current Volkswagen Golf GTI is the Brazilian football team on four wheels.
Haiti: Toyota Hilux
Haiti has overcome incredible odds to even be at the World Cup. The socioeconomic situation in the country means it’s not even been able to play its qualifying matches at home, and it’s taken a lot of grit and determination from the Caribbean nation to make it. Perhaps unsurprisingly, one of Haiti’s most popular cars is the Toyota Hilux, a truck we’re very much aware can overcome some remarkable odds, just like the football team.
USA: Ford F-150 Raptor R
YEAAAHHH! FREEDOM! EAGLES! RAAAAH! Ahem. Sorry, where were we? Yes, with the US playing host to the greatest number of venues of the three co-host nations, it’s only appropriate that the US team is represented by the most ’Murican car possible. The nation’s best-selling vehicle, complete with a fuel-guzzling supercharged V8 inserted in its nose, should do the trick.
Australia: HSV GTS Maloo
This year’s Aussie squad is tough, resilient and powerful, so one of the country’s equally robust homegrown muscle cars slots right in as its automotive representative—the supercharged, 585hp HSV GTS will do nicely. Nevertheless, the Socceroos’ coach, Tony Popovic, has instilled a hardworking, practical side in the team too. Good thing the GTS came as a ute, mate.
Turkey: Maserati MCPura
Turkey is a team regarded as a perennial underdog which, this year, is playing a hard-charging, energetic game that could see it triumph over some bigger rivals. Maserati is a manufacturer regarded as a perennial underdog and the MCPura is a hard-charging, energetic car that’s proven to be capable of triumphing over some bigger rivals. We’re still not used to it not being called the MC20, though.
Paraguay: Nissan Qashqai
Apologies in advance to the beautiful and culturally rich nation of Paraguay. And Qashqai owners. Unfortunately for you both, what’s defined the Paraguayan squad’s road to the 2026 World Cup has been safe, pragmatic and entirely unspectacular play, and nothing sums up those qualities quite like the go-to generic family crossover. At least that makes the Paraguayan football team, erm… well-equipped?
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
