The Esports Foundation officially appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for both the Esports World Cup (EWC) and the Esports Nations Cup. Announced jointly in Paris and Riyadh on July 15, the agreement locks the six-time League of Legends champion into the role through 2028. He joins football star Cristiano Ronaldo and chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen in the foundation’s elite ambassador program.
Faker won the inaugural EWC with T1 in 2024. Now, he returns to Paris this week to defend that title on the international stage. The 2026 edition boasts a record-breaking $75 million prize pool. The foundation explicitly designed Faker’s new appointment to ensure competitive players retain an active voice in shaping the tournament’s future direction.
According to the official Esports Foundation press release detailing his ambassadorship through 2028 alongside Ronaldo and Carlsen, the move is meant to bridge the gap between organizers and athletes. And despite the high-profile foundational role, Faker isn’t stepping back from the keyboard. He explicitly confirmed his ongoing commitment to T1, stating he will “continue competing for the biggest titles” while taking on these broader community duties.
That timing couldn’t be better. This global elevation follows a historic domestic milestone earlier this year, when Faker became the first esports athlete to receive South Korea’s Blue Dragon Medal. The Presidential honor is the nation’s highest sporting award. Meanwhile, the 2026 EWC is pushing its own boundaries, operating as the first edition of the tournament to officially accept sponsorships from blockchain and cryptocurrency companies.
The Verdict: The Esports World Cup is heavily investing in legitimacy by aligning with the most recognizable face in competitive gaming. For fans and competing teams, Faker’s multi-year presence at the executive level guarantees that active player concerns won’t be entirely overshadowed by the tournament’s rapidly expanding commercial interests.