Esports Nations Cup 2026 Announces Largest Open Qualifier Pathway in Counter-Strike History for CS2 Tournament

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (June 19, 2026) - The Esports Foundation (EF) today confirmed the complete list of 96 qualifiers that will be used to determine the teams representing their country or territory in Counter-Strike 2 at the future regional qualifiers and main event tournament at the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), the global nation-based esports competition set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from November 2-29, 2026.

In Counter-Strike 2, qualification is determined solely by results and ranking, and that principle is being upheld in the qualification path to the ENC. Each country or territory’s qualifier is an open competition of 32 to 64 teams, depending on each country or territory’s population size, with 64 teams limited only to a few of the biggest populations, making this the largest open qualifier in Counter-Strike history and maximizing global representation by creating a clear pathway from grassroots competition to elite international play. The winner of each qualifier will advance to their respective region’s regional qualifier, and compete for one of 24 spots in the main event.

More than 15,000 players are anticipated to compete in the local qualifiers taking place July 6 - 16, with the regional qualifiers taking place July 17 -19.

The eligible countries and territories selected to have national qualifiers were determined through the ENC rankings. Here is the complete list of regions that will feature a regional qualifier, with the number of main event ENC slots listed in parentheses, and the full list of countries and territories within that region that will host their own qualifier:

• Western Europe (4 ENC Slots): Denmark, France, Sweden, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Finland, Portugal, Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Iceland, and Italy
• Eastern Europe (4 ENC Slots): Ukraine, Israel, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Kosovo, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, North Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, and Croatia
• North America (3 ENC Slots): United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico
• South America (3 ENC Slots): Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and Paraguay
• Middle East & Central Asia (3 ENC Slots): Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Palestine, United Arab Emirates, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Armenia
• North Africa (1 ENC Slot): Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt
• Sub Saharan Africa (1 ENC Slot): South Africa, Mauritius, Senegal, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ghana, and Angola
• South & East Asia (2 ENC Slots): Mongolia, People's Republic of China, Pakistan, India, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong China, Chinese Taipei, and Japan
• Southeast Asia (2 ENC Slots): Thailand, SIngapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Brunei Darussalam
• Oceania (1 ENC Slot): Australia, New Zealand, Guam, and Fiji

In Western Europe, you’ll find the countries and territories that have forged undeniable legacies in competitive Counter-Strike, from Sweden’s incredible run of grand Major finals in the early days of CS:GO, to the era of Danish dominance through Astralis, to the long-lasting success of French players that continues today in the form of Vitality duo ZywOo and apEX.

In Eastern Europe, the qualifiers for Ukraine and Israel will be highly competitive and entertaining, given how prevalent players from both nations are currently at the highest tier of CS2. In South America, the timeless legacy of Brazil must now contend with a nation on the rise in Argentina. In North America, the United States and Canada will battle to determine which nation is the most important to the region’s past and present.

At EWC 2025, national rosters took center stage in the grand final between the all-Turkish team of Aurora and the all-Mongolian roster of The MongolZ. Ultimately, the MongolZ got the win and the tier one trophy that had eluded them for so long, and while those full five-man Club rosters can’t compete together at ENC, the local qualifiers for Türkiye and Mongolia will be must-watch, and both nations will be heavy favorites to make it out of their respective regional qualifiers no matter who plays for them.

About the Esports Nations Cup

The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial global esports competition created by the Esports Foundation (EF) that brings national pride to the world stage. Launching in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026, the ENC will feature the world’s best players competing not for their clubs, but for their countries and territories, across a lineup of leading esports titles. Built in collaboration with game partners, clubs, and esports organizations, the ENC establishes the first recurring, large-scale platform for national teams in esports. Beyond competition, it aims to fuel fandom, inspire heroes, and provide sustainable pathways for nations, players, and partners to grow within the global esports ecosystem. esportsnationscup.com

Esports Nations Cup media contact:
[email protected]