Japan appoints League of Legends roster for Esports Nations Cup

Japan has finalized its League of Legends roster for the Esports Nations Cup, selecting a squad that will represent the country at the regional qualifiers. To lead the nation, Japan has tapped popular head coach and former player Shirou “Paz” Sasaki, currently at the helm of , the most powerful Japanese powerhouse operating in the LCP.

The selected lineup features DFM’s toplaner Sora “Momo” Tobita, the only player competing in a major league. The remaining five players (including one substitute) all play in the LJL, Japan’s regional league that became minor following the creation of the LCP in early 2025.

Announced this Thursday by the Esports Foundation, the roster will therefore be composed of:

Several prominent names from the Japanese scene are notably absent. Most significantly, Shunsuke “” Murase, one of the most popular players globally and among the most decorated in LJL history, was not selected. Evi has spent the past year and a half competing in the LCP with , where he has seen less spotlight recently. There will also be no return from legendary midlaner Yuta “Yutapon” Sugiura, who became a streamer a year and a half ago after winning everything with DFM. Similarly, Rei “” Shimaya, the current veteran ADC of SHG, is missing from the roster.

Overall, only Momo brings 200 points to the roster. They will therefore very logically have to go through the ENC qualifier. They face Mongolia in the first round this Saturday, June 20, and will have to fight to be one of the two teams qualifying for the main event from November 21 to 29 in Saudi Arabia.

For context, this is the only competition Japan will play this year. Unlike their Asian neighbors, they will not participate in this year’s Asian Games, which Japan will host in Aichi and Nagoya from September 30 to October 2.