Faker Appointed Esports Ambassador for World Cup and Nations Cup Until 2028

The Esports Foundation has revealed that League of Legends legend Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok will serve as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup and Esports Nations Cup through 2028. Renowned as one of the greatest players in League of Legends history, Faker is also a strong contender for the title of the greatest esports player ever.

Joining Faker in the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program are Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo and Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen. Ronaldo plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, while Carlsen leads Team Liquid’s chess division, having clinched the EWC title last year.

In his new role, Faker will represent the voice of esports players at the Foundation’s international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements, and leadership forums, aiming to strengthen the bonds between players, fans, and organizations.

Ralf Reichert, the Esports Foundation’s CEO, commended Faker’s enduring impact, stating, “He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline, and longevity have inspired an entire generation.”

Reichert emphasized that Faker embodies a core principle of the Ambassador Program: esports cultivates its own global sporting icons. Through the EWC, ENC, and NGSC, he will ensure that the players who built this sport have a say in its future direction.

Faker expressed his commitment to representing the players and fans that shape esports, saying, “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide.”

For over a decade, Faker has been a dominant force in competitive League of Legends, boasting six World Championships, two MSIs, and an EWC title. He has evolved from an unstoppable individual player to a strategic shot caller, elevating his teammates’ performances. Recently, he has played a crucial role in T1’s success during Worlds runs, defeating superteams from Korea and China on his way to consecutive victories.

In addition to his gaming achievements, Faker has become a national icon. In 2026, he was awarded the Blue Dragon Medal, South Korea’s highest sporting honor, by President Lee Jae-myung, recognizing his contributions to Korean sports and culture.

This announcement comes after a tense period between the Esports Foundation and the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) regarding control over South Korea’s national roster for the Esports Nations Cup. In April 2026, the Foundation ended its partnership with KeSPA and opted to reach out to South Korean players directly for ENC 2026. Local reports indicated that the Foundation had “indirectly intervened” in player selection, seeking to include specific players.

Given Faker’s prominence, many speculated he would be among those selected, especially with KeSPA maintaining its own national team formation processes. The disagreements led to South Korea briefly withdrawing from the tournament, but the situation was ultimately resolved.

Despite Faker’s long-standing legacy, it’s possible that KeSPA may decide in the future that he isn’t the ideal choice for a tournament-winning roster. By appointing him as an Ambassador, the Esports Foundation has ensured that Faker will continue to represent and promote the brand and its events, regardless of his inclusion in future national rosters.