According to sources close to
Sheep Esports, Jack
"ApparentlyJack" Benton, Archie
"Archie" Pickthall, Joseph
"Joyo" Young, and Ben
"Toxiic" Salmon are expected to compete for the United Kingdom at the
Rocket League Esports Nations Cup. The team has already been representing England during the first phase of the FIFAe World Cup 2026 in April, where they achieved a top-four placement before bowing out after a 1-3 loss to Germany.
The 4-man lineup boasts a serious amount of experience and chemistry. Archie became a Major Champion in Boston earlier this year and like Joyo, has competed with England at the two previous FIFAe World Cups in 2024 and 2025. Even ApparentlyJack and Joyo have been playing together professionally for Geekay Esports this year, but they now look set to lose their starting positions with the organization ahead of the Last Chance Qualifier. Toxiic has been building a quiet case for himself on WIP Esports this season, but has commonly been used as a substitute in previous events. The team will settle on the starting trio closer to the competition.
Aston "accro" Smith, who was notably one of only two British players to compete at the recent Paris Major, turned down the opportunity to be a part of the 4-man roster. The 21-year-old qualified for his first RLCS LAN of his career this year with Man City Esports, earning a top-six finish in Paris.
Earlier this year, the UK appointed former English professional Dylan
"eekso" Pickering as Rocket League coach. The 23-year-old pivoted to coaching in 2025 following a seven-year career at the top level, and most recently featured for Geekay Esports at the RLCS 2026 Boston Major alongside British counterparts Joyo and ApparentlyJack, but was
replaced as coach by Victor
"Fairy Peak!" Locquet this Split. This followed two dismal displays during Open #4 and Open #5, where the organization failed to reach the playoffs despite having expectations of making the Paris Major.
The Dark Horse
With four competing RLCS veterans in the lineup, the UK roster looks likely a direct invitation to the new competition, which is expected to take place in Riyadh this November. Traditionally, England has struggled to upset the usual titans of international Rocket League, like France and Saudi Arabia. The nation failed to reach the playoffs of the FIFAe World Cup in 2025 but still has all the makings of a lineup that could go on a deep run at the ENC.
Rocket League will be one of 16 esports titles to feature at the first edition of the ENC in November. The tournament will bring together 48 national teams from around the world to compete at the event. Of the participating nations, 24 will receive direct invitations based on the ENC ranking system, which aggregates points earned by players during RLCS 2026. The other 24 teams will be determined through online continental qualifiers and three wildcard slots. Rocket League Esports has become accustomed to national team tournaments in recent years, with the FIFAe World Cup becoming a signature fixture at the end of each year.
The Esports Nations Cup, just like the FIFAe World Cup, is assumed to be holding its main event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, its sister event, the Esports World Cup,
announced its relocation to Paris earlier this month, largely due to the prolonged geopolitical situation in the region. Both these tournaments have strong links to the Saudi Public Investments Fund (PIF) and are accused of being tools for sportswashing, an attempt by the Saudi government to distract from human rights issues in the country.
The online regional qualifiers for the ENC will begin on July 18th, with the main event to follow in November.
