On the 28th, the Esports Foundation (EF) issued an official statement regarding allegations of interference in the selection of players for the inaugural 'Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026,' scheduled to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this November.

Unlike the Esports World Cup (EWC), which functions largely as an invitational for popular teams, the ENC is structured as a national competition. Consequently, it requires a level of fairness equivalent to that of selecting a national team.

Regarding the selection process, the EF stated, "For the ENC, the national team manager is responsible for selecting the coach, and the coach is responsible for selecting the players."

However, the EF added a caveat: "In some titles or cases, selection is made based on skill-based principles." This suggests that the authority for selection does not rest solely with the coach for all titles, and that separate criteria based on performance metrics may be applied depending on the nature of the game or specific circumstances.

An EF official explained that the purpose of the tournament is "to help the world's best players experience national pride and share the honor with their fans," noting that players, fans, and nations are at the center of every decision made by the organizers.

The EF also formalized the news of its terminated national partnership with KeSPA, which was announced a month ago. The EF stated, "A few days ago, we informed KeSPA of our decision to no longer work together as a national partner for ENC 2026," adding, "We understand that KeSPA is having a busy year, with a need to focus on operations and participation in the Asian Games."

Although the partnership has ended, the South Korean national team is still expected to participate in the tournament as planned. The EF stated, "Our commitment to having Korean players participate remains unchanged," and added, "We plan to coordinate our future direction by communicating directly with stakeholders, coaches, and players across the Korean esports ecosystem to ensure they can compete at the level expected by Korean fans and players."

Below is the full text of the official statement from the Esports Foundation.

"The Esports Nations Cup exists to allow the world's best players to compete under the colors of their respective nations or regions, and to provide fans with the experience of national pride and the honor of representing their country. This purpose—the players, the fans, and the nations and regions they represent—is at the heart of every decision we make as organizers.

A few days ago, the Esports Foundation informed KeSPA of our decision to no longer work together as a national partner for the Esports Nations Cup 2026. We understand that KeSPA is having a busy year, with a need to focus on operations and participation in the Asian Games, and we wish them success in their upcoming important schedule.

Our responsibility is to provide the best possible ENC for players, coaches, and fans, and to ensure that the Korean esports community is represented in a manner befitting its status in global esports. For the ENC, the national team manager is responsible for selecting the coach, and the coach is responsible for selecting the players. In some titles or cases, selection is made based on skill-based principles. Performance in international and domestic tournaments is the core criterion for nominating candidates for the ENC national team.

Our commitment to having Korean players participate in ENC26 remains unchanged. Moving forward, we will communicate directly with stakeholders, coaches, and players across the Korean esports ecosystem to coordinate our direction and ensure that the ENC26 Korean national esports team can compete at the level expected by Korean fans and players.