USA Esports Joins Forces with ENC as National Team Partner

USA Esports has been chosen to assemble and send national teams to represent the United States at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) later this year in Riyadh. Daniel Clerke, the esports director, has been appointed as the U.S. national team manager and will oversee the team selection process.

As a non-profit public charity, USA Esports aims to serve as a national governing body for esports in North America, partnering with notable professional esports organizations, universities, and former pro players who sit on its board.

In collaboration with the United States Esports Federation, USA Esports developed a unified application to submit to the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), the Saudi Arabian entity organizing the ENC. The tournament’s first edition is set for November 2026, featuring 16 game titles and national teams from over 100 countries, with future tournaments planned every two years in different locations.

In a conversation with an outlet, USA Esports president and CEO Jesse Bodony shared that they navigated a multi-stage application process, with the EWCF requiring comprehensive information about each applicant’s legal framework, national affiliations, and marketing strategies.

“It indicated that they were approaching this with a seriousness that is crucial not just for the inaugural year, but for the event’s long-term success,” he stated. “For the first time, fans will have the opportunity to rally behind their country on such a large scale. The EWCF is deeply committed to supporting this initiative on a national level.”

National team programs will benefit from a $20 million ENC Development Fund, allocated annually to cover travel and logistics for tournament participation, as well as to support marketing and promotional efforts.

Bodony recognized the tight timeline for USA Esports to recruit, train, and establish multiple national rosters, especially when compared to the typical two-year preparation period for Olympic events. “We aim to be as rigorous and transparent as possible,” he noted, emphasizing that each event, including the ENC, will have its own specific criteria and processes.

“We want to create a trusted athlete selection model, with clear criteria published for the community.”

He also pointed out the challenge of player release, particularly regarding the participation of salaried pro teams in national competitions. This issue, which includes concerns about injury and burnout, requires the pro teams to permit the use of players’ names, images, and likenesses in external events.

“This is a question that needs to be addressed not just for the ENC 2026, but in a way that supports long-term international competition,” Bodony explained. “We’ve communicated to pro teams that we don’t have all the answers yet, but we are committed to working collaboratively.”

In a January announcement, the EWCF revealed that approximately $5 million would be allocated for “club incentives” to professional esports organizations that allow their players to participate in the ENC, with rewards linked to player performance at the event.

The ENC, along with the separate Esports World Cup, is funded and initiated by the Saudi Arabian government. These initiatives have faced criticism as “sports washing,” using esports and gaming to shift focus away from the kingdom’s human rights record, including issues related to women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and military actions in Yemen.

“For the ENC, we are aware of the complexities involved, but we believe that making an impact requires engagement rather than remaining on the sidelines,” Bodony stated, emphasizing that his organization aims to uphold American standards of safety, inclusion, and integrity at every event they attend, regardless of the location.

“I personally believe that cultural shifts happen most effectively when values are shared, rather than kept at home.”