The Esports Foundation (EF) today confirmed the appointment of over 700 Game Coaches representing the National Team Partners (NTPs) from more than 100 nations and territories for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), the global nation-based esports competition set to debut in Riyadh from November 2-29, 2026. The announcement marks the start of team roster selections, due by May 10, with coaches now responsible for identifying players, defining team strategy, and building competitive lineups.
Drawn from more than 90 leading esports organizations across the globe, the group of coaches spans world champions, established leaders and rising stars building local scenes, connecting team development directly to the highest level of global competition. The list of National Team Coaches is available on the ENC website.
The coaching pool reflects the depth of the Philippine esports scene, bringing together seasoned veterans and a new generation of leaders shaping the country’s competitive identity. In Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Ducky leads a discipline where the Philippines has consistently proven itself as a world-class contender, while Tgee brings long-standing experience in esports to Honor of Kings, guiding one of the country’s strongest emerging titles. In Valorant, Rbtx steps in with experienced coaching in international matches, bringing a global perspective to a highly competitive, widely watched arena.
Fans will also see international appointments across borders, including Swedish legend Fabian “Fabian” Hällsten coaching the United States’ Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege team alongside Brazil’s Guilherme “gohaN” Alf coaching Indonesia.
That same breadth is reflected in the Philippines’ coaching roster across titles. In Dota 2, JL anchors the lineup with experience honed in high-stakes regional play, while Coach Leathergoods signals the country’s continued push in League of Legends. The lineup is rounded out by 4thRow in PUBG Mobile, navigating a fast-evolving competitive field that demands precision, adaptability, and strong strategic leadership.
Leo Andrew Escutin, Philippine National Team Manager, commented, “With our national coaches now at the helm, we are one step closer to showcasing the world-class talent of the Philippines. The journey to the Esports Nations Cup starts now, and we are ready to show the world what Filipino Esports Athletes can do.”
“The Esports Nations Cup is being built step by step, and appointing team coaches is the next critical layer in that structure,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. “If teams are what make esports intuitive for a mainstream audience, coaches are what make them credible for players and fans. They bring identity, direction, and standards to each team. With more than 700 coaches now in place across over 100 National Team Partners, we’re turning the idea of nation-based competition into something people can understand instantly and believe in — a system that is structured, real, and ready to perform on the world stage.”
Coaches from the remaining nations and territories, including the ones without an NTP, will be announced at a later date. Attention now turns to finalizing player selections, as teams take shape ahead of the ENC’s global qualification pathway. Competitors in solo-player games as well as in the remaining team-based titles will be identified through full open qualifiers, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.
The ENC introduces nation-based competition to the global esports calendar in a structured and recurring format. By enabling nations and territories to organize teams, develop talent pathways and compete on a global stage, the ENC creates new opportunities for players while strengthening connections between local ecosystems and international competition.
Additional information about the Esports Nations Cup will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, visit esportsnationscup.com, and follow ENC on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and follow the Esports Foundation on LinkedIn.
