Sources: Rhilech set to join Turkey at Esports Nations Cup, Closer to fill subsitute position

Turkey continues to assemble a strong roster ahead of the first international national-team event in League of Legends. After securing its toplaner for the Esports Nations Cup with the addition of , as previously reported by Sheep Esports, per sources the team has also selected its starting jungler in .

In addition to these two key players, another jungler is expected to join the roster as a substitute: . Currently without a team following the end of his stint with in 2025, the former LCS champion, who won the title in 2021 with 100 Thieves, will be part of the team.

While only one player per position can compete in Riyadh, having a substitute still has its merits. With the main tournament not taking place until November, teams have the flexibility to assess both players throughout the rest of the competitive year and make their starting decision closer to the time. In essence, it allows teams to delay that call and give two players in the same role a chance to prove themselves. For Turkey’s case specifically, Rhilech remains favorite to be the starter jungler for now.

Rhilech had long been considered the frontrunner for the starting jungle position. Currently playing his rookie season with in the LEC, he has impressed with his aggressive, hyper-carry oriented jungle style and is already regarded as one of the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year this season.

He will be coached by Ali “Craft1x” Aklan, whom he previously worked with at BK ROG Esports between 2024 and 2025. The coaching staff will also include Emre “Arkhe” Akpınarlı as assistant coach, as previously reported by Sheep Esports.

Scheduled from November 2 to 29 for its first edition in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, the nation-based competition, the largest in esports history, is expected to bring together thousands of players from around a hundred countries, competing across nearly 16 games. Alongside the League of Legends tournament, set to take place from November 21 to 29, there will also be nation-based competitions in VALORANT, Counter-Strike, Rocket League, and Rainbow Six: Siege. For Riot Games’ MOBA title, exactly 32 teams, each representing a nation, will compete on site.

Before that, the participants still need to be decided. The Esports Foundation, which oversees the ENC and the Esports World Cup (two separate events), has decided that 16 teams out of the 32 will qualify directly for the final tournament, based on the results of their representatives in Riot Games’ official competitive circuits. The other participants will have to go through seven regional qualifiers, each offering two spots. The remaining two slots will reportedly be allocated by the ENC in the form of wildcards, likely at the discretion of the event organizers.