The Esports Foundation has confirmed the appointment of more than 700 Game Coaches representing National Team Partners from over 100 nations and territories, all building rosters for the ENC’s debut in Riyadh, running November 2–29, 2026. Roster submissions close May 10, so the clock is already ticking.
The coaches come from more than 90 esports organizations spread across the globe. Some have competed on the biggest stages in the world. Others have spent years quietly developing talent in regions that rarely get mentioned in international coverage. That range isn’t a quirk of the selection process it’s kind of the whole point.
Familiar Names, Fresh Rivalries
The coaching appointments read like a who’s-who of competitive esports, with a few surprises thrown in.
In League of Legends, Dylan Falco a well-known figure from his time coaching G2 Esports in the LEC will represent Canada. He’ll face off against a younger generation of coaches including Quentin “Zeph” Viguié leading France and Jonas “Memento” Elmarghichi guiding Morocco. Rocket League has its own compelling contrast: Netherlands’ Jos “ViolentPanda” van Meurs, a world champion, is in the mix alongside Abdulrahman Saad “d7oom-24” Bin Fayez just 22 years old who takes on the job of coaching Saudi Arabia, making him the youngest coach named in the entire field.
The cross-border appointments add another dimension. Swedish veteran Fabian “Fabian” Hällsten will coach the United States’ Rainbow Six Siege squad. Brazil’s Guilherme “gohaN” Alf has been appointed to lead Indonesia. In a club-based competition, neither would raise an eyebrow. In a nation-based one, both carry a certain weight and more than a few storylines worth watching when the tournament begins.
Women Coaches Taking the Lead
One of the quieter but more meaningful threads running through this announcement is the number of women stepping into head coaching roles across multiple titles and regions.
In PUBG MOBILE, Camila “Mia” López draws on her experience from the global mobile circuit to coach Chile, while Nikol “Kehayoyo” Kehayova leads Poland. Sabrina “SYA” Starke takes charge of Germany’s Honor of Kings team. Angela “Kaylio” Sun Zhou coaches Australia in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. In VALORANT, Felicia “Felly” Cersac represents Moldova and Syeda “Skel” Samman leads Pakistan two emerging esports markets that don’t often get this level of visibility on the world stage.
What Comes Next
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, framed the coaching appointments as exactly the kind of structural layer the ENC needs to be taken seriously. “Coaches are what make teams credible for players and fans alike,” he said. “They bring identity, direction, and standards.”
With over 700 now in place, that credibility is being built one appointment at a time.
Coaches for nations and territories not yet represented including those without a formal National Team Partner will be announced at a later stage. Player selection is the immediate priority, with open qualifiers planned for solo titles and additional team-based games. Full details are expected in the coming weeks.
The ENC is designed as a biennial competition not a one-time showcase, but a recurring fixture in the international esports calendar. One that nations, players, and coaches can actually build toward.
For updates, visit esportsnationscup.com and follow ENC across X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
About the Esports Nations Cup: The ENC is a biennial global competition created by the Esports Foundation, launching in Riyadh in 2026. Players compete for their countries across leading esports titles, with a focus on building sustainable national pathways in competitive gaming.
About the Esports Foundation: A Riyadh-based non-profit, the Esports Foundation operates both the annual Esports World Cup and the biennial Esports Nations Cup, working year-round to grow and professionalize the global esports ecosystem.
