From November 8 to 15, the
Esports Nations Cup will host an international
VALORANT competition featuring the best players from around the world representing their respective nations. The event will take place in Riyadh and feature 32 national teams, including 16 nations that
received direct invitations based on a points system established by the Esports Foundation, the organization responsible for managing the
ENC. The rankings are determined by the players selected by each country and their performances throughout the 2026 season on Riot Games' official competitive circuit.
A fast format
To determine the remainder of the field, 14 additional nations will qualify through regional qualifiers scheduled to take place from June 26 to 28. The final two spots will be awarded through wildcard invitations granted by the ENC. As for the qualification process, participating nations have been divided across eight regional qualifiers, each featuring countries that successfully assembled an eligible roster for the competition.
Across all eight qualifiers, teams will compete in a double-elimination bracket with best-of-one matches throughout the event. Two qualification spots will be available in each of the following regions: Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Southeast Asia & Oceania. In addition, one qualifier spot will be awarded in Sub-Saharan Africa and another in the MENA region, completing the list of teams advancing to the main event in Riyadh.
Favorites that are more or less predictable
In Asia, Japan, with most of its players competing in VCT Pacific, and Hong Kong, whose roster is largely made up of VCT China players, are undoubtedly the favorites to secure the two spots for Saudi Arabia. However, India could play spoiler with an experienced roster that is well established in Tier 2. A fairly similar scenario can be expected in the SEA & Oceania qualifier, where Indonesia appears to have the strongest lineup on paper. Most of its players have previously competed in VCT Pacific, despite the absence of Jason "f0rsakeN" Susanto.
In the MENA region, where only one slot is available, the battle is expected to be fierce. Saudi Arabia, led by Abdullah "ExiT" Al-Twaijri, Morocco with Amine "johnqt" Ouarid, Lebanon featuring Matteo "P0PPIN" Weber, and Algeria with Wassim "keloqz" Cista are all among the leading contenders.
In Eastern Europe, the Czech Republic stands out as the team to beat, thanks to its Gentle Mates duo of Patrik "Minny" Hušek and Martin "marteen" Pátek, alongside several well-known Tier 2 players. Serbia, led by Mateja "qpert" Mijović, and Ukraine, featuring its Natus Vincere Junior duo, are expected to battle for the second qualifying spot. In Western Europe, three nations appear to stand above the rest: France, Germany, and Portugal. Spain, Sweden, and Belgium are also teams to keep an eye on.
With only four participating teams, South America is by far the smallest qualifier and likely the most one-sided. Argentina enters as the overwhelming favorite with a roster made up of VCT Americas players, while the second spot should be contested between Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. In North America, Mexico looks set to be the team to beat, alongside Colombia.
