The Esports World Cup, relocated to Paris from Saudi Arabia due to Middle East security concerns, concluded with China-based team AG.AL claiming the championship title and top prize after seven weeks of competition.
AG.AL secured victory at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 following an event that spanned seven weeks in Paris. The tournament's final weekend proved decisive, with French player Gwendal "Gwen" Duparc's victory in the racing game Trackmania propelling the team ahead of reigning champions Team Falcons, based in Saudi Arabia. The winning team received a $7 million prize at a closing ceremony attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Organisers relocated the competition to France at the last minute from its planned Saudi Arabian venue in Riyadh, citing safety concerns related to the conflict between the US and Iran in the Middle East. Despite this venue change, the tournament retained Saudi Arabia's involvement through the Esports Foundation, which created and runs the event. According to organisers, the 2026 edition reached approximately 850 million viewers across all platforms and sold 175,000 tickets, representing an increase in audience figures compared to previous years.
The tournament featured notable individual achievements beyond AG.AL's team victory. Chilean player Jaime "Craime" Bustos, at just 15 years old, won the Street Fighter 6 competition to become the youngest-ever EWC champion. Rocket League professional Samy "dralii" Hajji secured his third consecutive EWC victory, while chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen claimed a second title in the competition. The tournament drew 2,000 players from 100 countries competing across popular video games including Call of Duty and League of Legends.
The event has faced ongoing criticism from some players, fans, and commentators regarding Saudi Arabia's central role, with some choosing to boycott the competition. Critics have characterised Saudi Arabia's esports investments as part of a broader "pixelwashing" strategy aimed at enhancing the country's global image. The Esports Foundation has maintained that all participants are welcome at its events regardless of venue location. Despite controversies, teams have indicated they cannot overlook the tournament's significance, given the broader decline in esports funding and the event's substantial $75 million total prize pool.
