‘EA Sports FC’ and ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’ debut at Esports World Cup in Riyadh

‘EA Sports FC’ and ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’ debut at Esports World Cup in Riyadh
Week 7 of the Esports World Cup saw the start of EA Sports FC at Boulevard Riyadh City. (Supplied)
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Updated 16 August 2024
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‘EA Sports FC’ and ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’ debut at Esports World Cup in Riyadh

‘EA Sports FC’ and ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’ debut at Esports World Cup in Riyadh
  • Both competitions kicked off on Thursday and headline the penultimate week’s action alongside ‘StarCraft II’

RIYADH: Twenty-four hours after “StarCraft II” launched week seven of the Esports World Cup at Boulevard Riyadh City, some of the world’s elite teams and players began their campaigns on Thursday in “EA Sports FC” and “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.”

There are record prizes and vital EWC Club Championship points at stake over the next three days.

Each of the three tournaments this week — which feature grand finals on Sunday — will play a key part in the dramatic finale of the Esports World Cup.

The global event concludes with a closing ceremony and the crowning of the world club champion on Sunday Aug. 25.


Week 5 of 2025 Esports World Cup concludes with three more champions crowned

Week 5 of 2025 Esports World Cup concludes with three more champions crowned
Updated 12 August 2025
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Week 5 of 2025 Esports World Cup concludes with three more champions crowned

Week 5 of 2025 Esports World Cup concludes with three more champions crowned
  • Team Liquid made history as first club to win three EWC titles in one year

RIYADH: With five weeks now in the bag, the 2025 Esports World Cup is approaching the finish line with just two weeks to go.

The Club Championship leaders changed once again, as three more titles have been claimed during the last week, with Team Liquid also making history as the first club to win three EWC titles in one year as they claimed victory in EA Sports FC 25.

Team Secret secured victory against G2 Esports in a Europe vs Europe grand final. Team Secret had a flawless run-up to the grand finals, and with favorites Team Falcons being eliminated on day one, it was all to play for. A clean 3-0 victory for Team Secret in the grand final saw them sail ahead to secure the title.

Team Secret came into the tournament as Europe’s third seed, making their title run even more impressive. The victory also marks Team Secret’s first title at the Esports World Cup, and their first major trophy in Rainbow Six Siege.

Twisted Minds were able to see off a tough field of competitors to secure the title in Call of Duty: Warzone. The victory also saw the team’s storied roster claim their first LAN victory for all three players, despite their long-standing presence at the top of the Warzone scene. Aydan “Aydan” Conrad, Riley “zSmit” Smith, and Benjamin “Almond” Rosendahl all previously reached the podium at the inaugural Esports World Cup with different teams. They then formed a new roster, which has now successfully claimed the top position.

Twisted Minds secured victory in the 10th game of the series, having achieved match-point conditions earlier in the series during game six alongside rivals Virtus.pro. That set up the next four games as tense affairs, as more teams joined them on match point — and it all went down to the wire in the final game.

Team Liquid’s Dutch star Manuel “ManuBachoore” Bachoore lifted the FC Pro 25 World Championship trophy, becoming a two-time world champion in the process. He battled through the play-in stage, taking down many of the world’s top players to claim the title, as well as Team Liquid’s third title of this year’s EWC.

The match itself was a close one against Team Vitality’s Brice “Brice” Masson, with both players trading goals, and while ManuBachoore was leading 4-3 in the closing minutes of the game, Brice came close on so many occasions that it was a nail-biting finale. ManuBachoore managed to secure a late goal, easing the pressure, and with just minutes left, he ran the clock down to secure the win.

After Week 5, Team Liquid is back on top of the Club Championship table with 4,200 points, after their victory in EAFC 25. That win, combined with Team Falcons having a disappointing week where they only secured 200 points from three titles, was enough to push Liquid back to the top of the table.

Falcons underperforming has also had ramifications further down the table, with Team Vitality closing the gap on them to just 550 points. Now, with all three teams having multiple titles remaining, and the likes of Virtus.Pro and Twisted Minds having rosters in almost all the remaining games at EWC, the race for the Club Championship is wide open.

Meanwhile, In an EA FC 25 showmatch, two footballing icons, Ronaldo Nazario and Kaka, went head-to-head to find out who was the best on the virtual pitch. The two icons played in front of a sold-out crowd at the Esports World Cup, with the packed arena cheering the legends on.

The eventual winner was Kaka, though Ronaldo was quick to offer up a new challenge in defeat.

“I promise you, Kaka beat me in football, but in Call of Duty: Warzone I’ll beat him, for sure,” Ronaldo said during a recent episode of EWC Spotlight. “I remember recovering from my first injury, my knee. I remember doing physio and playing Call of Duty.”

Esports World Cup 2025 concludes with the New Global Sport Conference at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh from Aug. 23-24.


Gerard Pique introduces new era of football gaming to MENA region

Gerard Pique introduces new era of football gaming to MENA region
Updated 11 August 2025
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Gerard Pique introduces new era of football gaming to MENA region

Gerard Pique introduces new era of football gaming to MENA region
  • Former Spain and Barcelona star inaugurated Kings League MENA at the ongoing Esports World Cup in Riyadh
  • Unconventional seven-a-side football game was designed with younger audiences in mind

RIYADH: Football legend and former Barcelona player Gerard Pique is bringing Kings League, the game that revolutionized online football gaming, to the Middle East and North Africa region, with Saudi Arabia at its heart.

The Spanish defender inaugurated Kings League MENA last night as part of the ongoing Esports World Cup, where the new team presidents from the region were also announced.

Pique started Kings League in Spain in 2023, and after a successful first launch has since expanded to other leagues worldwide including Italy, Brazil, Japan, France, Germany, Hispanic America, and the US.

On how he envisions the Kings League gaming community to look like in the MENA region, Pique told Arab News: “Very young, very motivated, very committed to the product and the project.

“I’m sure that there will be a lot of intensity, a lot of clashes (between streamer fans), this is what we want.

“We want them to care and want to win, and that they dedicate everything they have to winning.”

The unconventional seven-a-side football game was designed with younger audiences in mind, adding more creativity and free reign with secret weapons or “golden cards,” unlimited substitutions, sin bins, and penalty shoot-outs after every draw.

Kings League was also created in a way that brings together fans with their most beloved content creators and streamers taking the role of team presidents in each region.

The MENA teams and their presidents were announced to be SXB FC, led by Ahmed Alqahtani from Saudi Arabia, Ultra Chmicha led by Morroccan Ilyas Elmaliki, Red Zone led by Jordanian Maher Sultaneh, 3BS led by Jordanian Hani AlQoublam, FWZ FC led by Kuwaiti Fawaz Hamad, Turbo led by Egyptian Saleh Tarboun, and DR7 led by Saudi streamer Mafrah Aseeri.

Elmaliki, Morroco’s top streamer, was appointed president of Morocco’s national team in the Kings World Cup Nations held in Italy where his team made it all the way to the semifinals. Ultra Chmicha was later invited by Pique to join the Kings World Cup Clubs 2025 as the first wildcard team.

Alqahtani’s SXB FC was also picked as a wildcard for the Paris games, and their match against Jijantes FC drew a record breaking 950,000 live viewers, the tournament’s highest.

“We have amazing streamers,” Pique said. “They have huge communities that are very loyal to them.”

“They have to have good players because the level is very high in Kings League. But I know some of them, and I’m sure that that they will bring a lot of fun, a lot of entertainment and a good level of football.”

Fans can now submit their application and try their chance at getting drafted to join one of the official Kings League MENA teams, potentially later qualifying for the Kings World Cup Clubs or represent their country in the Kings World Cup Nations Brazil 2026.

Kings League MENA is a joint venture with SURJ Sports Investment as part of an ongoing effort to expand digital sports and entertainment in the region.

Having visited the Kingdom a few times before with Barcelona for the Spanish Super Cup, Pique also told Arab News that he is always “very happy when I come here.

“The food is amazing. And I think the people, you are very similar to Spanish people.

“When you arrive to the country, everything is very comfortable, so I’m enjoying it so much.”


Team Liquid’s Manuel Bachoore wins EA Sports FC 25 Tournament at Esports World Cup 2025

Team Liquid’s Manuel Bachoore wins EA Sports FC 25 Tournament at Esports World Cup 2025
Updated 11 August 2025
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Team Liquid’s Manuel Bachoore wins EA Sports FC 25 Tournament at Esports World Cup 2025

Team Liquid’s Manuel Bachoore wins EA Sports FC 25 Tournament at Esports World Cup 2025
  • ‘ManuBachoore’ wins second World Championship title, and Team Liquid make history as first club to secure 3 championships in a single edition of the Esports World Cup

RIYADH: Manuel “ManuBachoore” Bachoore has won the FC Pro World Championship at the Esports World Cup 2025 for Team Liquid in a 5-3 grand final win against Brice “Brice” Masson of Team Vitality, picking up Team Liquid’s third championship title at this year’s event.

ManuBachoore’s victory sees him become a two-time champion, having won in 2023. He claimed a top eight finish at the Esports World Cup 2024.

And ever since favorite and world No. 1 Anders “Vejrgang” Vejrgang was eliminated this year, ManuBachoore has looked like the most likely winner.

ManuBachoore made it to the World Championship stage via the play-ins, where he only dropped one match in the group stage, topping his group. His main event run proved more difficult, with multiple matches being won by just one goal, proving the intensity of the high-level competition.

The Grand Final was a close match, with ManuBachoore’s signature attacking style on display against his French rival, where goals were traded between the pair.

The final moments proved a tense affair, with ManuBachoore leading by just one goal. However, he was able to score a late goal to make it 5-3, which ended up sealing the championship in his favor.

“I’m so thankful to God, for me to be two-time World Champion is more than I ever asked for in my career. Honestly, I did not think it was possible to win two times.

“But here we are, I can’t believe it. It feels like a dream. It is my dream. I’m happy it’s a reality,” said ManuBachoore.

“I said in an interview before we started, the first time I did not really realize what I did. Now I realize and enjoy it, I’m so happy. It’s a dream. I started in the play-ins, so I came here, not even sure if I would qualify for the tournament.

“I’m here now with the trophy. I’m grateful for this dream.”

ManuBachoore earned Team Liquid 1,000 Club Championship points for his victory, sending the side firmly to the top of the Club Championship standings.

The victory in EA Sports FC 25 is Team Liquid’s third title at the Esports World Cup 2025, marking the first time a club has won three titles at the same Esports World Cup.

The result blows the Club Championship wide open, with Team Falcons having just one top-eight finish this weekend, as we head into the final two weeks.

Team Liquid’s victory in EA Sports FC 25 not only gained them 1,000 Club Championship points, but also denied third-place Team Vitality 250 more crucial points.

Team Vitality remain in third place; however, the strong showing in EA Sports FC 25 has seen them bridge the gap to Team Falcons in second place to just 550 points.

Week six at the Esports World Cup 2025 takes place until Aug. 17 with finals in Teamfight Tactics, Rocket League and Tekken 8.


Twisted Minds win Call of Duty: Warzone tournament at Esports World Cup 2025

Twisted Minds win Call of Duty: Warzone tournament at Esports World Cup 2025
Updated 10 August 2025
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Twisted Minds win Call of Duty: Warzone tournament at Esports World Cup 2025

Twisted Minds win Call of Duty: Warzone tournament at Esports World Cup 2025
  • Saudi Arabian team lift trophy after competitive 10-match Grand Final

RIYADH: Twisted Minds won the Call of Duty: Warzone tournament at the Esports World Cup 2025, lifting the trophy after an epic 10-game final.

The win is the first major tournament victory for all three players on the roster, despite each of them having storied careers.

This is the crowning moment the Twisted Minds players have been working towards for years, with this being the first LAN win for all three members of the team, despite each of them having been at the top of the Call of Duty: Warzone scene since its inception. Aydan Conrad, Riley Smith, and Benjamin Rosendahl were all on the podium at the Esports World Cup 2024 when members of two different teams, before building a new roster that has finally seen them take the final step.

Twisted Minds entered the event via the North American Qualifier as the fourth seed from the region. They had a strong showing in the group stage, finishing third and securing a spot in the final without having to play in the last-chance stage.

The Saudi Arabian organization came alive in the final, securing five top four finishes in the first six games to put them on match point. But with teams targeting them and Virtus.pro, who reached match point at the same time, it was not until Game 10 that Twisted Minds were able to secure the win they needed to lift the trophy.

Twisted Minds win the $250,000 first place prize, but for these three players, the opportunity to finally call themselves champions will be just as sweet.

“It’s my first LAN victory, you know, it means a lot to me,” Conrad said. “To have people in the stands watching, rooting for us, shout out to Twisted Minds and to everyone here, because without y’all, this is not possible without you guys. Thank you for making this the event it was.”

Smith takes home the Sony MVP award, thanks to his in-game prowess and successful plays throughout the tournament, winning $10,000 and the MVP medal as testament to his contributions.

“This is your goal, you start playing five years ago to win on the big stage, that’s where you want to be,” Smith said. “I know right now this is the best team I’ve ever played with.”

With the win Twisted Minds earned 1,000 Club Championship points, which puts them fifth in the overall standings. They are now just 200 points behind Virtus.pro, the side they stopped from gaining the full 1,000 points in Warzone. With Twisted Minds still competing in five more titles in the next two weeks of the Esports World Cup 2025, they could make a late charge for the Club Championship title.

Week five at the Esports World Cup 2025 takes place until August 10 with finals in EA Sports FC 25.


Football superstar Alisha Lehmann thrilled by ‘incredible’ Esports World Cup

Swiss football sensation Alisha Lehmann. (Supplied)
Swiss football sensation Alisha Lehmann. (Supplied)
Updated 09 August 2025
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Football superstar Alisha Lehmann thrilled by ‘incredible’ Esports World Cup

Swiss football sensation Alisha Lehmann. (Supplied)
  • When not on the football pitch, Lehmann likes to play Fortnite and appreciates the innate talent of young gamers
  • As esports continue to grow and connect with a global audience, Lehmann firmly believes that esports will continue to expand its global appeal

RIYADH: Swiss football sensation Alisha Lehmann, known for her electrifying presence on the pitch and her massive social media following, has made a visit to the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Lehmann’s journey into the world’s biggest celebration of esports and gaming culture revealed a world that both surprised and resonated deeply with the superstar professional athlete.

Her first taste of the Esports World Cup 2025 was the highly competitive League of Legends final, an experience that left a lasting impression. “I was able to watch the League of Legends final and I was surprised by the atmosphere and passion in the arena,” she said.

“I enjoyed the crowds’ reaction to a tight game; it was a great experience. The stadium is full, there are so many people cheering for the players and you can see how much effort the players put in to get where they are now. It’s amazing. I would tell everyone to come here to experience it and enjoy it.”

This immediate connection to the energy of esports fans highlighted a striking parallel to the intensity she knows well from her experience performing in the world’s leading football stadiums and deepened her appreciation for esports.

The parallels between her world on the football pitch and the virtual battlegrounds of esports are evident to Lehmann. “I started playing from six years old. It doesn’t matter if it’s a racing game or a football game, the experiences are linked because we grow up with the same mindset and we want to win.”

When not on the football pitch, Lehmann likes to play Fortnite and appreciates the innate talent of young gamers, noting how young people possess skills that were unimaginable when she was their age.

“All children and young kids love to play games,” she says. “Sometimes I’ve noticed when I’m playing Fortnite that there are kids that are like 10 years old, and I’m watching them and I’m amazed.

“I think esports is growing every year now. Everyone is watching it, the technology is constantly improving and the games are getting better, I feel that it’s becoming really big.”

As esports continue to grow and connect with a global audience, Lehmann firmly believes that esports will continue to expand its global appeal and become mainstream entertainment for fans around the world.

“I think esports will catch up with traditional sports for sure. Because the technology is constantly evolving and the whole industry is really cool,” she said.

“It’s amazing. I think you can also learn a lot. I know kids in Switzerland who speak English now because they play Fortnite and watch streamers. It’s great to see.”

The growth of women’s participation in both football and esports is a topic close to Lehmann’s heart. Witnessing Team Vitality win the MLBB Women’s Invitational tournament at the Esports World Cup 2025 filled her with pride, and she hopes that female participation in esports and sports continues to thrive.

“I think it’s so good that we push women to compete at the highest levels of sport,” she said. “It’s essential because they are as important as the men and we want to see them shine too.”

When asked to create the line-up for her dream EA Sports FC team, Lehmann was keen to select a starting eleven that represented elite talent from women’s and men’s football.

“Of course I would take Hannah Hampton as a goalkeeper, she’s been amazing in the Euros, I played with her and she does really well,” Lehmann said. “For right back, I’ll take Trent Alexander-Arnold. For center back, I’m going to take Millie Bright and Leah Williamson. For left back, Lucas Hernandez. In midfield, my number 6 would be Alexia Putellas, then Jude Bellingham, and Lionel Messi. Up front it would be Killian Mbappe on the right, Erling Haaland as striker, and Cristiano Ronaldo on the left.”

Gathering the world’s elite players under one competitive banner, the EA Sports FC Pro 25 World Championship tournament is underway at the Esports World Cup 2025 from Aug. 7-10.

More details and tickets, including access to all tournament days and festival experiences, are available at esportsworldcup.com

Esports World Cup 2025 concludes with the New Global Sport Conference, the leading B2B platform for decision-makers across gaming, esports, sport and entertainment. Held at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh from Aug. 23-24, NGSC 2025 aims to foster dialogue, drive collaboration and shape the future of competitive entertainment.