Esport will soon have its own World Cup moment. The Esports Nations Cup (ENC), a biennial competition where players represent their nations on the international scene, was introduced by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) during the last weekend of the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh.
In contrast to the club-based leagues that currently rule esport, the ENC centers competition around national pride. Imagine the World Cup of FIFA for video games.
The Vision: Nation vs. Nation Esports
According to Ralf Reichert, CEO of the EWCF, “nation versus nation competition is the ultimate expression of sport.” “The ENC makes this a reality for esport, providing each player with the pride of representing their nation and every fan with a flag to rally behind.”
This bold action aims to produce the same kind of heart-stopping moments that fans witness in traditional sports, when nations unite behind their athletes not just as athletes but as national heroes.
Big Names, Big Games
Some of the biggest names in gaming will support the Esports Nations Cup when it launches in 2026. Electronic Arts, KRAFTON, Tencent, and Ubisoft will be anchor partners, helping to create rankings, qualification routes, and competition formats specific to their titles.
In order to make the competition feel genuine to each community and to raise the standard for honesty and equity in esport, these partners will assist in creating ranking systems, qualification routes, and formats specific to their respective titles.
Global Representation
Powerhouse nations like the US, China, and South Korea won’t be the only focus of the ENC. In order to ensure that developing regions like Africa, MENA, and Southeast Asia will also have a chance to shine, the EWCF confirmed that qualification will include global rankings, regional qualifiers, and wildcard slots.
As a result, the ENC serves as both a competition and a forum for strengthening national ecosystems globally and elevating underrepresented esports regions.
Fair Play and Equal Rewards
The ENC’s dedication to sustainability and equity is yet another noteworthy aspect. Prize money is guaranteed for all participating nations, and each game will have an equal distribution of rewards. This is a clear indication that the ENC is about creating long-term opportunities for both federations and players, not just about glory.
Riyadh 2026 and Beyond
In November 2026, the first Esports Nations Cup will begin in Riyadh, solidifying Saudi Arabia’s developing position as a global esports hub. Following that, the ENC will follow the format of the Olympics and FIFA World Cup, switching host nations every two years.
The EWCF has a clear goal: to establish the ENC as a major hub for international esport, a place where rivalries are created, heroes are born, and supporters from all over the world unite under their banners.
The Takeaway
The Esports Nations Cup has the power to permanently alter the competitive landscape with its blend of publisher cooperation, national pride, and an inclusive structure. ENC has the potential to become the occasion every two years when people from all over the world pause to witness the making of esports history, much like the Olympics did for sports.
