EA Sports has announced the official renaming of its flagship football esports prize to the Diogo Jota FC Pro World Championship Trophy. The tribute recognises the late Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers forward’s profound passion for competitive gaming and has been enacted with the blessing of his family.

The newly designated piece of silverware will be lifted for the first time by the eventual winner of the 2026 FC Pro World Championship, which runs from July 22–27 as a featured event at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Paris, France.

Outside of his professional football career on the pitch, Jota established a notable footprint within the competitive gaming ecosystem. He actively competed in football esports himself, winning the 2020 ePremier League Invitational tournament while representing Wolves.

Driven by his dedication to the scene, he went on to found his own esports organisation, LUNA Esports, which fielded players in EA Sports’ competitions across multiple years.

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Monica Dinsmore, Head of Esports at Electronic Arts, noted that modifying the circuit’s ultimate individual honor serves to celebrate Jota’s genuine passion for competitive gaming alongside his athletic excellence. “Diogo represented a rare bridge between traditional football and competitive gaming, embodying the spirit, dedication, and love for the game that defines FC Pro competition,” said Dinsmore.

The renaming serves as a tribute for both his family and his esports organisation. Rute Cardoso, Jota’s wife, expressed that the family is deeply touched by the tribute, stating that future champions lifting the trophy will carry his legacy forward in a community he truly loved. Armando Vale, General Manager of LUNA Esports, added that the gesture is a beautiful tribute to a pursuit that brought Jota immense happiness, highlighting his genuine devotion to growing the gaming community.

The car accident that took Jota’s life occurred exactly one year ago, on 3 July 2025, in the Spanish province of Zamora. Diogo Jota, aged 28, was a professional footballer for Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team. His 25-year-old brother, André Silva, also a victim of the accident, was a footballer for Portuguese club Penafiel. According to local police sources, the brothers were en route to England, where Diogo Jota was set to begin pre-season preparations with Liverpool.

The FC Pro competitive circuit, which features thousands of players globally from October to July, will culminate later this month when the trophy is raised for the first time in Paris. EA SPORTS also confirmed it will actively explore additional avenues to continuously honor Jota’s memory and legacy.

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