African teams gear up for inaugural Esports Nations Cup
African countries are preparing to enter the global esports arena as national teams take shape ahead of the new international tournament.
Morocco.- African esports organisations are preparing to send national teams to the inaugural Esports Nations Cup, marking a major step forward for the continent’s presence in global competitive gaming. The new tournament will see players compete under national banners rather than traditional esports clubs, introducing a country-versus-country format rarely seen at this scale in esports.
Organised by the Esports World Cup Foundation, the competition is expected to bring together national teams from across the world to compete in multiple esports titles. Several African countries are among those expected to be represented, including Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Tunisia, Uganda and Botswana, highlighting the continent’s growing involvement in organised esports structures.
The event is scheduled to take place in November 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Organisers say more than 100 countries and territories are expected to take part through a global network of national team partners.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation said: “The Esports Nations Cup introduces something esports has never had before: a global system for national teams at an unprecedented scale. The response we received from across the world shows that communities are ready for this next step.”
Global expansion for 100 nations
The tournament is expected to feature a wide range of esports titles spanning several genres, including first-person shooters, multiplayer online battle arena games and sports simulation titles.
Reichert added: “With more than 100 nations now part of the system, the Esports Nations Cup moves from concept to reality – establishing national esports as a lasting part of the global competitive landscape.”
For African markets, the emergence of a structured international competition centred on national teams could provide a new platform for players, federations and organisers across the continent. Several countries have already established esports federations or governing bodies in recent years as competitive gaming continues to expand.
Organisers note that the expansion of international esports competitions could also open opportunities across the wider digital gaming ecosystem, including sponsorship, media rights and esports betting markets in jurisdictions where wagering on esports is permitted.
