A global cohort of coaches drawn from 90+ leading esports organizations will manage player selection and build teams across ENC’s team-based games
The Esports Foundation has officially announced a major milestone in the build-up to the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC)—the appointment of more than 700 Game Coaches representing National Team Partners (NTPs) from over 100 countries and territories.
Set to make its debut in Riyadh from November 2–29, 2026, the ENC is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious nation-based esports competitions to date. With coaching appointments now in place, attention shifts to the next crucial stage: team roster selection, which is due by May 10. Coaches will now take the lead in identifying talent, defining strategies, and assembling their national lineups for global competition.
Building national identity through esports leadership
Selected from more than 90 top esports organizations worldwide, the coaching pool brings together world champions, seasoned leaders, and rising tactical minds. Their role goes beyond gameplay—they will shape national identities, guide team development, and bridge local esports ecosystems with the global stage.
The official list of National Team Coaches is available on the ENC website.
Strong Philippine representation across titles
The announcement highlights the growing strength of the Philippine esports scene, with a roster of respected coaches leading the country’s charge across multiple titles.
In Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, coach Ducky leads a discipline where the Philippines has consistently proven its world-class competitiveness. For Honor of Kings, Tgee brings extensive esports experience to guide one of the country’s fast-rising competitive scenes. In Valorant, Rbtx adds international coaching experience, bringing a global tactical perspective to a highly competitive FPS landscape.
Across other titles, the Philippines continues to build depth and specialization. In Dota 2, JL provides leadership shaped by high-pressure regional competition. In League of Legends, Coach Leathergoods supports the country’s continued development in the MOBA scene. Meanwhile, 4thRow takes charge in PUBG Mobile, where adaptability and precision remain key in an evolving competitive environment.
Global collaboration across borders
The ENC coaching roster also reflects its international scope, with cross-border appointments such as Swedish esports veteran Fabian “Fabian” Hällsten coaching the United States’ Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege team, and Brazil’s Guilherme “gohaN” Alf guiding Indonesia’s squad—underscoring the global interconnectedness of competitive esports.
Leadership perspectives
Philippine National Team Manager Leo Andrew Escutin emphasized the significance of the moment:
“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.”
Meanwhile, Ralf Reichert highlighted the structural importance of coaching in the tournament’s foundation:
“The Esports Nations Cup is being built step by step, and appointing team coaches is the next critical layer. Coaches bring identity, direction, and standards. With more than 700 coaches in place across over 100 partners, we’re turning nation-based competition into something structured, real, and globally competitive.”
Next phase: roster building and qualifiers
With coaching appointments now complete for participating nations, focus shifts to finalizing player rosters. Additional coaches from remaining regions will be announced later, alongside updates on open qualifiers for both solo and team-based titles.
The ENC introduces a structured, recurring format for nation-based esports competition—designed to strengthen regional ecosystems while connecting them to a unified global stage.
More updates on the Esports Nations Cup 2026 will be released in the coming weeks via esportsnationscup.com and official ENC social channels.
