Esports Nations Cup: The first World Cup by countries arrives in 2026
For the first time in history, eSports will have their own World Cup by countries. The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), based in Saudi Arabia, has announced the creation of the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), a tournament that will bring together the best national teams from around the globe starting in 2026.
For years, fans had been calling for an international tournament that went beyond clubs or professional organizations and allowed players to defend their nation’s colors. Although the Esports World Cup already exists at the club level, the absence of a competition between countries was seen as a major gap in a sector that increasingly mirrors traditional sports.
With the ENC, that gap is now filled: fans will have a flag to cheer for, and players the pride of representing their nation on the global stage.
Official Statements
The announcement was accompanied by words from Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation:
“Competition between nations is the ultimate expression of sport. ENC makes it real for eSports, giving every fan a flag to rally behind and every player the pride of representing their country.”
With this vision, the ENC seeks to strengthen the sense of national identity within the growing gaming community.
A Biennial Rotating Model
The Esports Nations Cup will follow a biennial format, held every two years in a rotating host country. The inaugural edition will be organized in collaboration with some of the biggest companies in the industry:
- Electronic Arts (EA)
- Krafton
- Tencent
- Ubisoft
This ensures a wide representation of titles, from shooters and strategy games to sports simulators.
Represented Regions
The ENC will feature national teams from all major regions of the world:
- North America
- South America
- Europe
- MENA (Middle East and North Africa)
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Asia
- Southeast Asia
- Oceania
Each region will bring together teams made up of top players, both individually and collectively, depending on the title and competitive format.
Competition Format
The ENC will include both team-based and individual tournaments, replicating the structure of major sporting events like the Olympic Games. This means that titles across multiple genres will be featured, such as:
- Tactical shooters (e.g., Counter-Strike 2, Rainbow Six Siege).
- MOBA (e.g., League of Legends, Dota 2).
- Battle Royale (e.g., PUBG, Fortnite).
- Sports games (e.g., EA Sports FC, NBA 2K).
The EWCF is already working with federations, associations, and publishers in each region to define team selection processes and ensure that every roster truly represents the best of its country.
Impact on the Esports Scene
The launch of the Esports Nations Cup marks a paradigm shift in competitive gaming. Until now, major tournaments were tied to privately funded professional clubs, but this new format introduces a patriotic and national component that could greatly increase media attention and fan passion.
The expected impact includes:
- Larger global audiences, thanks to fans supporting national teams.
- Greater sponsor investment, due to massive international reach.
- Opportunities for local players, who will now represent their country beyond club competition.
- Potential Olympic integration, as the ENC mirrors recognized international sports competitions.
Esports on Par with Traditional Sports
The ENC also seeks to position eSports more firmly as a global sporting discipline. Just as in football, basketball, or athletics, competitive video games will now have their own international championship for national teams.
Many see this as the culmination of a legitimization process that eSports have been building for the past decade. With global audiences exceeding 500 million people, the next challenge is to consolidate formats that unite national communities and deliver worldwide spectacles.
Next Steps
The first edition of the ENC will take place in 2026, although the host country has not yet been revealed. In the coming months, the EWCF is expected to announce further details regarding:
- The titles included in the competition.
- The qualification process for each country.
- The exact dates and inaugural host city.
What is certain is that eSports are about to make history, and the Esports Nations Cup is set to become an iconic event that will redefine the global competitive scene.
