Jul 01, 2026.
Every EA Sports FC™ player who’s ever imagined playing for their country/territory now has a real path to do it. The Esports Nations Cup 2026 Online Qualifiers are the official gateway into EA SPORTS FC 26 competition at the ENC Finals, where players won’t just be chasing a title, they’ll be carrying their flag.
Two stages stand between now and Riyadh. Here’s how to make the trip.
As a reminder, not everyone has to fight through the ladder to reach Riyadh. The FC Pro World Rankings will serve as the basis for invitations as follows:
This means you’re not just competing globally, you’re competing to be one of the very best in your country/territory.
Stage 1 - FC ENC Ladder (July 29 - August 2)
It starts with five days of open online competition. The ladder runs around the clock, so there's no single match that makes or breaks a run, only a highest placement that determines who moves forward.
Each region’s qualifier can host an unlimited number of players for the Ladder phase, whilst the Battlefy portion of the qualifier will see a maximum of 256 competitors competing for representation.
To register for these Regional Open Ladders, all registration takes place in-game.
Stage 2 – Regional Qualifiers (August 8–9)
This is where the ladder narrows into a weekend of do-or-die competition:
Once the Regional Qualifiers have concluded, winners are determined based on their placements. Below is a breakdown of how many slots are allocated to each region:
Countries and territories are capped at one already-qualified player before further qualification is awarded, keeping the door open for new national representatives rather than repeat entries. If players end up tied on placement, the field is separated by:
Eligibility comes down to two things: meeting the standard entry requirements, and confirming citizenship and residency for the country/territory you intend to represent. Players compete in the region tied to that country/territory, the full regional breakdown is laid out in the EA SPORTS FC Esports Nations Cup Online Qualifiers Official Rules.
For countries and territories that are not included in the EA SPORTS FC eligible list of countries and territories, the Esports Foundation will organize three Special Qualifiers across three specific regions where a majority of countries are not eligible to take part in the standard qualifier, in order to provide a fair opportunity to players worldwide.
These qualifiers will be hosted on August 15 & 16, featuring a double elimination bracket for all three regions, with the following qualification slots:
North, Central, East & West Africa (3 slots to Finals)
Southern Africa (1 slot to Finals)
Middle East, Central Asia (1 slot to Finals)
A maximum of 256 players will be allowed to enter each qualifier. Only players holding the citizenship of the countries listed above will be eligible to participate. Please note that players who participate in the regular EA SPORTS FC qualifiers will not be eligible to compete in these Special Qualifiers, as players may only compete through one qualification pathway.
For the avoidance of doubt, the two-player per country/territory rule also applies to special qualifiers.
Beyond a trip to the ENC Finals, players are competing for:
The ladder opens in a matter of weeks. For any EA SPORTS FC player with national pride on the line, this is where that journey begins.
2026
Esports Foundation Postpones Inaugural Esports Nations Cup to November 2027
The Esports Foundation (EF) today announced that the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), originally scheduled to take place in November 2026 in Riyadh, will be postponed to November 2027, following ongoing assessment of the wider regional situation, and after consultation with key stakeholders.
2026
Kameto Joins Esports Nations Cup as Team France Ambassador
Ahead of the Esports Nations Cup 2026, Team France is preparing to take the global stage with the support of a familiar face and its first official national jersey. Kamel "Kameto" Kebir has been named the official ambassador for Team France, bringing his connection with the French esports community to the national team’s journey. Team France’s adidas jersey has also been revealed as the first national design unveiled for ENC 26, representing the identity behind competing under the French flag.
PR
France Unveils First Esports Nations Cup Jersey on the Champs-Élysées
Revealed at the Esports Festival by the Esports World Cup, the jersey designed in collaboration with adidas gives French esports a new symbol to rally behind.
PR
Esports Foundation and adidas Announce Landmark Partnership to Outfit Every Team at the Inaugural Esports Nations Cup
Over 100 countries and territories will wear custom adidas national jerseys at the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), equipping every team competing across 16 of the world’s most popular esports titles. The inaugural four-week event is set to take place starting November 2, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. National team jerseys will be revealed in the coming weeks. The partnership directly supports the ongoing convergence of esports, culture, entertainment and sports, creating a defining moment for the esports industry and the global sport landscape.