Mohamed Zameel Zihuny emerged as the champion of the inaugural Ooredoo Nation Cup 2026 after defeating some of the country’s top FC 26 players in an esports tournament inspired by the FIFA World Cup.
Organized by Ooredoo Maldives as part of its nationwide #OoredooFootballFoari campaign, the competition featured 48 players, each representing one of the 48 nations participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament was designed to mirror the excitement of football’s biggest global event while bringing together local gaming enthusiasts.
After a series of closely contested matches, Zameel, who competed as South Korea, secured the championship title with a consistent performance throughout the tournament.
Abdulla Maahil, representing Saudi Arabia, finished as runner-up, while Zakwan Shihad, who played as Austria, claimed third place.
The winners walked away with cash prizes, trophies and Hisense Smart TVs.
As champion, Zameel received MVR 8,000, a championship trophy, a 75-inch Hisense UHD 4K VIDAA Smart TV and a FIFA World Cup replica trophy.
Runner-up Maahil was awarded MVR 5,000, a trophy and a 65-inch Hisense UHD 4K VIDAA Smart TV, while Zakwan received MVR 2,000, a trophy and a 55-inch Hisense UHD 4K VIDAA Smart TV for finishing third.
The Ooredoo Nation Cup formed part of the company’s wider FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, which includes promotions, fan engagement activities, digital experiences and gaming competitions aimed at bringing football supporters together throughout the tournament.
Ooredoo said initiatives such as the Nation Cup are intended to support the continued growth of esports in the Maldives by providing competitive platforms where local players can showcase their talent while strengthening the gaming community.
Esports has grown steadily in popularity across the Maldives in recent years, with tournaments attracting increasing participation from young gamers. Titles such as FC 26 have become particularly popular due to the country’s strong passion for football.
Congratulating the winners and participants, Ooredoo Maldives said the success of the inaugural Nation Cup highlighted the enthusiasm of Maldivian gamers and football fans, while celebrating sportsmanship, competition and community engagement.
