As the
Esports Nations Cup 2026 approaches, scheduled for next November in Riyadh, the race for national representation is intensifying. Since the opening of the
partnership program by the Esports World Cup Foundation on January 8, 2026,
the British and Canadian federations have officially submitted their applications. However, these organizations currently remain aspiring candidates: their status as official representatives will only be confirmed after a thorough evaluation by the EWCF.
The ENC will be the first large-scale competition between national teams, built on a model similar to that of the Olympic Games. The EWCF, which oversees the competition, is responsible for selecting “national federations” tasked with managing player selection. The event is expected to feature around 16 solo and team-based games, yet to be announced, although partnerships have already been made public with publishers such as MOONTON Games, SNK, Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft.
A united front for the United Kingdom
The British Esports Federation has submitted an expression of interest to
lead the delegation for the entire United Kingdom. Unlike other competitions (such as the
Rocket League FIFAe World Cup), there will be
no separate selections for England, Scotland, or Wales; the objective is to form a unified team under the banner of Great Britain, following the
Olympic model.To support this bid, the federation is relying on Esports Wales, Scottish Esports, and the UK Esports Teams Committee, alongside several more established and high-profile partners. Strategic support from Fnatic and The English Football Association is also being highlighted, with their expertise in managing international competitions and professional players.
Alongside this initial announcement, the group has also begun the
search for a Team Manager, who will oversee the future UK team, from selecting coaches to supporting players and preparing for the ENC. In its call for applications, the role of the Manager is described as follows: “
They select the game coaches and support those in building the national rosters in coordination with publishers, clubs, and players. They will also be onsite at official ENC-related events to represent the nation.”
Canada bets on synergy with OverActive Media
Across the Atlantic, Esports Canada has also reached out to its community to structure the management of Team Canada 2026. This initiative is
backed by OverActive Media, owner of
Toronto Ultra and Movistar KOI. If the application is approved, this partnership would combine the association’s federal foundation with the operational strength of a major private group that is deeply experienced and highly influential within the industry.
Organizations seeking to secure these National Partner positions have until January 31, 2026 to complete the first phase of their application. The EWCF will officially announce the selected partners in March 2026. Only after this stage will managers be able to submit their coaching staff (by March 29) and finalize the rosters by April 26, 2026.
