Sources: Croatia locks in Esports Nations Cup LoL roster, Perkz to compete in qualifiers before rejoining G2 in Korea

Luka “” Perković is back on the Rift. According to sources close to Sheep Esports, Croatia has finalized its roster for the Esports Nations Cup regional qualifiers, with the veteran midlaner set to lead the nation alongside LEC AD carry Josip “” Čančar.

Alongside Perkz and Jopa, the five-player lineup also includes support Tomislav “” Nanjara of TLN Pirates in the LFL; toplaner Toni “” Sabalić, a veteran with over ten years of professional experience who made a single appearance in LEC Spring 2020 with SK Gaming; and jungler Lovre “” Čorić, who recently left Verdant in the NLC after playing with them since the beginning of the year.

Croatia has also added two substitutes: Toplaner Karlo “” Kovačić from The Secret Club, a Croatian organization competing in the EBL, and midlaner substitute Sven “” Vidović, who also played in the EBL during the Winter Split.

Perkz recently resurfaced on the LEC stage, attending ’ celebration after the team lifted their 18th title. During the broadcast, he told Sjokz that he had worked with G2 behind the scenes throughout the split, acting more as a coach and facilitator within the roster.

Sources have told Sheep Esports that Perkz’s participation in the Esports Nations Cup is the reason he is currently not with G2 Esports in Korea for MSI. Instead, he will represent Croatia in the qualifiers between June 19 and 21 before flying to South Korea immediately afterwards. Still part of G2’s coaching staff, Perkz had already committed to playing for Croatia well before joining G2 Esports this year.

Perkz’s return to competitive play in 2026 was not expected to happen. After a difficult finish to his time with Ruddy Sack in the NLC following a Winter 2025 that fell short of expectations, despite a predicted rivalry with Los Ratones, he disappeared from the Summoner’s Rift for several months as he announced his retirement in June 2025.

Nevertheless, Perkz remains one of the most accomplished players in European League of Legends history, and his experience will be a significant asset to his team.

Perkz was G2 Esports’ first historical midlaner, playing for the team from 2015 to 2020. His résumé includes eight LEC titles, one LCS title, one MSI championship, and a Worlds final. He will almost certainly serve as captain and the natural leader of a Croatian roster that lacks high-level experience compared to his own.

For a player who has been absent from the competitive scene for most of 2026, this ENC qualifier run is a clear signal that Perkz is still willing to step back into the spotlight and test himself in a new environment and format. It feels as though this country-based League of Legends tournament, something the esports community has waited a long time for, couldn’t be celebrated without one of its legends.

Croatia will open their ENC campaign against Bulgaria on Friday in the Europe East Qualifiers, with the winner advancing to face either Albania or North Macedonia. In order to qualify to the main event in November, Croatia will have to finish Top 2 in the qualifiers. The top 16 countries, based on a roster-points ranking system, are exempt from this stage. Croatia did not collect enough points to qualify directly for the bracket stage and must go through the East Europe Qualifiers this weekend to earn their spot.

With only one current LEC player on the roster, the squad carries a relatively low points total of just 700, placing them 31st according to the ENC prediction tool. This is further impacted by the inclusion of a retired player and several teamless players who did not perform well with their organizations in previous splits. Their point breakdown is as follows:

Despite the low score, the Croatian delegation looks like a team that could break expectations. Led by Perkz, a strong leader with huge knowledge and a proven track record alongside one of Europe’s best AD carries, the squad has the potential to surprise in the qualifier.

You can take a look at all ENC rosters in our Nations Cup Tool and in our Transfers Hub.