24 Countries and Territories Qualify for Counter-Strike 2 at Esports Nations Cup 2026

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (July 20, 2026) - The Esports Foundation (EF) today announced the completion of the online qualifiers for the Counter-Strike 2 tournament at the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), the global nation-based esports competition set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2-29, 2026.

24 teams will compete in the Counter-Strike 2 tournament at ENC 2026, all determined through local and regional online qualifiers that required players to play at their absolute best in order to reach the main event. A total of 96 local qualifiers were held to determine the teams that would represent their country or territory in the regional qualifiers.

Here’s the full list of countries and territories that qualified through online regional qualifiers:

North America: United States of America, Canada, Mexico
South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile
Western Europe: France, Great Britain, Germany, Denmark
Eastern Europe: Lithuania, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria
Middle East & Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan
North Africa: Morocco
Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa
South & East Asia: People’s Republic of China, Mongolia
Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Vietnam
Oceania: Australia

Top tier professional talent and even a few legends of the game can be found across all 24 qualified rosters. Lithuania went undefeated in the Eastern European qualifier, and while PGL Copenhagen 2024 Major winner and former Natus Vincere star jL is the flashiest name on the roster, it was his teammates Uzman, nukkye, and tak who stepped up in their deciding match against Kosovo. Emerging from Western Europe, Germany is highlighted by two top-tier German pro duos: tabseN and prosus from Berlin-based team BIG, alongside slaxz- and s1n from North American organization M80, who together defeated the teams from Luxembourg, Sweden, and Finland

One of the most mechanically gifted players in the game’s history in ScreaM, dubbed the “headshot machine” in his prime, has led a Moroccan roster that includes his brother Nivera to the ENC. Calling the shots for the team representing Canada is one of NA’s most beloved and polarizing figures in steel, who will lead teammates more than a decade younger into Riyadh.

The full list of qualified players and nations can be viewed directly on the Counter-Strike 2 page of the ENC website.

The Counter-Strike 2 tournament at ENC will begin on November 10 and will conclude with the Grand Final on November 15. The first stage will be a 24-team round-robin group stage featuring four groups of six teams competing in best-of-one matches. The top 16 teams will advance to the single-elimination playoff bracket featuring best-of-three series, concluding with a best-of-five Grand Final.

About the Esports Nations Cup

The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial global esports competition created by the Esports Foundation (EF) that brings national pride to the world stage. Launching in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026, the ENC will feature the world’s best players competing not for their clubs, but for their countries and territories, across a lineup of leading esports titles. Built in collaboration with game partners, clubs, and esports organizations, the ENC establishes the first recurring, large-scale platform for national teams in esports. Beyond competition, it aims to fuel fandom, inspire heroes, and provide sustainable pathways for nations, players, and partners to grow within the global esports ecosystem. esportsnationscup.com

Esports Nations Cup media contact:
[email protected]