The Esports Foundation has announced new wildcard slot rules for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), introducing three new ways for countries and territories to qualify for the event.
The new system includes Solidarity Slots, Host Region Slots, and Special Invites. According to the Esports Foundation, the goal is to help more countries take part in the ENC while keeping the competition fair and competitive. The Foundation said the new framework is meant to solve regional, technical, and structural barriers that can make it difficult for some countries to compete internationally.
One of the biggest additions is the Solidarity Slot system. These slots are designed for countries and territories with smaller esports ecosystems and will be available for all game titles except Counter-Strike 2 (CS2).
Starting July 20, countries and territories that have not already qualified in more than one title can apply for a Solidarity Slot until August 17. Applications will be considered for the country’s strongest game titles. After all qualifiers are completed, the Esports Foundation and game publishers will decide the final selections based on competitive strength and regional representation.
The Esports Foundation said Solidarity Slots are meant to give players from underrepresented regions a chance to compete on the ENC’s global stage and make the event more relevant to fans around the world.
The slot allocations include:
- Chess: 2 Solidarity Slots
- EA SPORTS FC: 5 Special Invites and 2 Solidarity Slots
- PUBG MOBILE: 4 Special Invites and 1 Solidarity Slot
- Honor of Kings: 1 Special Invite and 1 Solidarity Slot
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves: 1 Special Invite and 1 Solidarity Slot
- Rocket League: 2 Solidarity Slots
- All other titles, except CS2, will receive 1 Solidarity Slot by default.
The Esports Foundation also introduced Host Region Slots. These slots are commonly used in international sports events to make sure the host country is represented and to build local fan support.
For ENC 2026, however, the slot will go to the host region instead of the host nation. This means countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region will have a chance to qualify through a merit-based system. The slot will be awarded to the highest-performing GCC nation that has not already qualified through the normal qualification process.
The third pathway is called Special Invites. These invites are meant for situations where technical or structural limitations prevent teams from joining regular qualifiers. The Foundation said these invites will only be used for selected titles and specific cases. Unlike Solidarity Slots, Special Invites will not be based on performance, but on eligibility rules linked to publishers and game-specific requirements.
The Esports Foundation also confirmed that all wildcard slot participants will receive full travel and accommodation support. They will compete under the same player experience system as all other qualified teams and players at the ENC Finals.
Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer at the Esports Foundation, said, “ENC is built around the idea that esports talent exists everywhere, and that more players should have the chance to chase the dream of representing their country on the world stage. The framework introduced today is about opening that door to more countries and communities so more players can experience what it means to compete at the highest level of competition. As esports continues to grow around the world, the ENC is creating new pathways for players to turn that dream into reality and inspire the next generation back home.”
The organisation also issued a notice regarding Electronic Arts (EA) titles such as Apex Legends and EA FC. It clarified that the ENC Finals are organised entirely by the Esports Foundation, and EA is not responsible for running the events. The Foundation also stated that national teams for EA titles will either qualify through dedicated EA qualifiers or receive direct invitations, and are not connected to ENC National Team Partners.
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