Team Falcons soar to victory, claim Call of Duty crown at Esports World Cup
Their triumph marked the inaugural win of the tournament, setting a high bar for the competition
The Esports World Cup, running from July 3-Aug. 25, features 22 tournaments across 21 game titles
Updated 07 July 2024
Arab News
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Team Falcons soared to victory in a historic moment for the nation’s esports scene, claiming the Call of Duty: Warzone championship at the Esports World Cup held in Boulevard Riyadh City.
The local favorites, comprising Shifty, Soka and Biffle, clinched the grand final with a commanding performance, securing a prize of $200,000. Their triumph marked the inaugural win of the tournament, setting a high bar for the competition.
The SEF Arena witnessed intense battles among 10 top-tier teams, culminating in Team Falcons’ decisive victory. Reflecting on their victory, Soka expressed gratitude to the passionate Saudi fans whose unwavering support fueled their success. The electrifying atmosphere and vocal encouragement from the crowd played a pivotal role, boosting the team’s morale throughout the competition.
Biffle echoed these sentiments, highlighting the energy of the home crowd that propelled them to greatness. The team’s dominance was evident from the early stages, having swept through the group stages with flawless victories.
Their success was a culmination of rigorous preparation and strong team chemistry, as acknowledged by Shifty. He stressed their commitment to excellence and the unparalleled bond among the trio, attributing their confidence and resilience to the fervent support of Saudi fans.
The Esports World Cup, running from July 3-Aug. 25, features 22 tournaments across 21 game titles. As the first week concludes with thrilling matchups in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, League of Legends and Dota 2, Team Falcons’ triumph stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global esports arena.
‘The pride I felt winning for my country was unparalleled’: Saudi Rocket League FIFAe World Cup winners share joy of victory
Saudi stars reveal how it felt to become first-ever FIFAe World Cup winners on home soil
Saudi Arabia crowned first-ever FIFAe Rocket League world champions on home soil
Updated 15 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The victorious Saudi Arabia team, who claimed victory on Dec. 8 in the inaugural FIFAe World Cup, featuring Rocket League, have been sharing their pride at securing the crown.
Cheered on by a raucous home crowd, they delivered a commanding performance to secure the title at the SEF Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City last Sunday.
Team captain Mohammed Al-Otaibi, known as TrK511, reflected on the triumph and said: “It’s an indescribable feeling to finally become world champions, winning the FIFAe Rocket League World Cup in our homeland, with our fans behind us every step of the way, makes the achievement unforgettable.”
Saudi Arabia dominated their opponents, topping the group stages before defeating Chile 4-0 in the quarter-finals, Brazil 4-0 in the semifinals and France 4-1 in the final.
Yazid Abdullah Bakhashwin, known as “Kiileerrz,” described the pride of representing Saudi Arabia on a global stage.
“This is the greatest achievement of my career,” he said. “What makes it even more significant is that it was the first Rocket League tournament for FIFAe, held here at home. The energy from the fans inside the SEF Arena was electrifying. Their cheers after every match and goal pushed us to perform at our peak.”
For coach Abdulrahman Al-Saad, the victory was the culmination of relentless preparation.
Mohammed Khalid Alotaibi (trk511) of Team Saudi Arabia celebrates against Team France during the Final of the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League at SEF Arena on Dec. 8, in Riyadh. (FIFA via Getty Images)
“We’ve been working towards this tournament for so long,” he said. “Being the first of its kind and hosted in our homeland made it even more meaningful. It marked the end of a long year of tournaments — around 10 in total — where we learned from every match and improved on our mistakes, especially in international competitions.”
The victory was particularly sweet for the Saudi team, who had often come close in previous tournaments without taking the top prize.
“Reaching the finals and semifinals only to fall short was tough,” said Saleh Abdullah “Rw9” Bakhashwin. “But my family and friends never stopped believing in us. This win feels like the perfect reward for all our efforts, and I’m proud to have made them proud,” he added.
His teammate and captain, TrK511, echoed the sentiment.
“After so many close calls, this victory feels especially meaningful. We’ve learned from our past experiences, practiced relentlessly, and stayed focused as a team,” he said.
Eighteen nations competed in the tournament, one of three in the FIFAe Finals 2024. The event was part of a growing number of competitions hosted in Saudi Arabia, which included the inaugural Esports World Cup earlier this year. With 23.5 million gamers — almost 70 percent of the population — the Kingdom is rapidly establishing itself as a global leader in esports.
“The esports industry in Saudi Arabia is expanding at an incredible pace,” said coach Al-Saad. “The Kingdom is investing heavily in infrastructure and nurturing young talent. This win reflects the passion our country has for gaming and esports.”
For Saudi Arabia’s world champions, this victory is just the beginning.
“We’re living in an era of esports, with tournaments happening year-round and so much support from our country,” said TrK511. “I’ve always wanted to achieve something for my family and my country, and now I’ve achieved the most important title of my career — but it won’t be the last.”
Historic FIFAe Finals 2024 conclude with two more champions crowned
Indonesia secure console competition of ‘FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball’, while Minbappe from Malaysia win mobile edition
Updated 13 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Minbappe, from Malaysia, and Indonesia on Thursday secured their places in FIFAe history as history’s first champions of this new e-sports title in the growing FIFAe ecosystem.
After two weeks of football e-sports action at the SEF Arena in BLVD City in Riyadh, the FIFAe Finals 2024 concluded with the crowning of the console and mobile champions at the “FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball” evnt.
There were 18 countries competing in the console division in a 2v2 tournament, while 16 countries contested 1v1 mobile edition of the event.
Minbappe from Malaysia won the mobile division after outplaying AN10_Tienes from Morocco in a thrilling final on Thursday.
On console, Indonesia claimed the coveted title ahead of a stacked field, including a win over Brazil in the final.
Saudi Arabia secured the inaugural “FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League” last week.
Hosted in collaboration with the Saudi Esports Federation, the second edition of the FIFAe Finals produced three world champions, with total prize money of $450,000 distributed to the participants.
Saudi Arabia crowned inaugural champion of FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League
Saudi Arabia triumphs against France in first of 3 FIFAe World Cup finals
Next to be decided are FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball on mobile and console next to be decided
Updated 10 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The first FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League concluded with Saudi Arabia being crowned world champions after four days of intense competition.
As players represented their national teams for the first time on the Rocket League scene, the Kingdom claimed victory over France in the final to take the title and life the trophy in Riyadh at the weekend.
The winning team was made up of Rw9, Kiileerrz, trk511 and d7oom-24, whose road to success saw them defeat some of the world’s best players and national teams. Sixteen nations took part in the inaugural tournament at the SEF Arena at BLVD Riyadh City.
Saudi Arabia’s triumph will be seen as further confirmation of its growing influence in the global esports scene, with the country heavily investing in the gaming ecosystem as part of its Vision 2030 strategy.
The FIFAe Finals 2024 features multiple titles under the FIFAe banner for the first time. During the course of the event a total prize pool of $450,000 will be distributed across the three world cups.
Attention now turns to the FIFAe World Cups featuring eFootball on mobile and console, both which will conclude on Dec. 12.
Diriyah circuit revealed as one of 3 additions to Formula E Trackmania
In partnership with game publisher Ubisoft, Formula E will unveil the Sao Paulo, Diriyah and Miami tracks on Dec. 4
Updated 27 November 2024
Arab News
LONDON: Formula E has announced Diriyah as one of three additional tracks in the popular Trackmania game.
Sao Paolo and Miami have also been added following the huge success of the inaugural three circuits featured in the game during year one of the partnership with game publisher Ubisoft.
The coming season features six Formula E circuits, with returning fan favorites Tokyo, Berlin and London joined by the new tracks.
Players will also have access to a bespoke Formula E Championship show car livery as well as those from all 11 race teams. Attack mode and energy management systems will continue to be incorporated via a Formula E game mode, with a competitive live race per circuit and cash prizes up for grabs.
A special test race is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 27 so players can familiarize themselves with the tracks and game mechanics before the official season begins.
Starting on Dec. 4, just before Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship kicks off at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, the specially designed street circuit will be revealed to Trackmania’s players through a Track of the Day launch, followed by the first official race.
Players will also be able to use 12 car liveries — 11 team skins from Formula E’s Season 11 and an exclusive championship skin.
Sanjay Shivaram, Formula E strategy and business development director, said: “As ever, our aim is to bring our fans closer to the action and as Formula E’s gaming offer continues to grow, we’re thrilled to integrate three new circuits into Trackmania for millions of fans to enjoy.
“It’s important to give fans and players the chance to put themselves in the driving seat and experience the thrill and drama of electric racing themselves. Through launching live races across six iconic Formula E circuits, fans will be able to experience (this) in an alternative, immersive format and take in the action for themselves. With cash prizes and a Grand Winner title to compete for, fans will be able to challenge themselves in their own racing championship and be part of the Formula E gaming community.”
Formula E first arrived in the Kingdom in Formula E’s fifth season and has raced in Diriyah six times. In 2025, the E-Prix moves to Jeddah, taking place on a modified version of the Jeddah Corniche Short Circuit on Feb. 14-15.
The tournament returns to the Saudi capital from Dec. 5-12 with a partnership between FIFAe and the Saudi Esports Federation
Updated 26 November 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The FIFAe Finals 2024 come to Riyadh next month, the first time the event will include multiple esports titles.
Hosted at the SEF Arena at BLVD Riyadh City, it will unfold in two stages. Proceedings begin with the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League from Dec. 5-8, followed by two FIFAe World Cups featuring eFootball (on console and mobile) that will run from Dec. 9-12.
Ahead of the tournaments, Turki Al-Fawzan, CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “As we continue to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in esports, hosting the FIFAe Finals 2024 is a proud moment for us. This event not only highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to the esports ecosystem but also provides an unparalleled opportunity for players from across the world to showcase their talent and passion on a global stage. We’re excited to witness the next chapter of esports history unfold right here in Riyadh.”
Players have the opportunity to represent their nations and lift the official FIFAe World Cup Trophy on a global stage. Sixteen nations are competing in Rocket League and up to 18 will go head-to-head in eFootball.
In line with Rocket League’s third-party regulations, the prize pool stands at $250,000. The prize pool for both eFootball competitions (console and mobile) is $100,000 each, bringing the total prize distribution for the FIFAe Finals 2024 to $450,000.
“This year’s addition of multiple new titles marks a major expansion for football esports tournaments, offering players from diverse ecosystems the chance to compete on the biggest stage under the FIFAe banner. We’re excited to continue this momentum together with the SEF and look forward to bringing this event to life in December together with our partners and publishers,” said FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom.
The FIFAe Finals 2024 follow the inaugural FIFAe Next Gen event in Liverpool, England, which included the first-ever FIFAe World Cup featuring Football Manager, alongside the FIFAe Fame Your Game Cup.
