Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, the most successful League of Legends player ever and an esports icon, has signed a deal with the Esports Foundation that will see him become a game ambassador for both the Esports World Cup and the Esports Nations Cup.
The deal, which was revealed today in Paris, France at the 2026 Esports World Cup, will see Faker join soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and chess legend Magnus Carlsen in the ambassador program. From now until 2028, Faker will represent the perspective of esports players across the Foundation’s international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums. Essentially that means you’ll see Faker pop up across almost everything the Esports Foundation does over the next couple of years.
With the initial two ambassadors in the program not being esports stars, it makes sense to bring in the most recognisable face from the world of competitive gaming. It would honestly have been a little strange if the first true esports star to join as an ambassador was anyone other than Faker, so it really feels like a perfect match for the two parties.
“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”
Bringing in Faker means that the Foundation’s ambassador program has three key pillars, all superstars in their chosen field who have transcended their game of choice to become true international icons. Chances are that a significant portion of people in the world would recognise at least one of members, with Faker bringing in a unique audience of gamers, esports fans and likely a large portion of the South Korean population.
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“Faker represents three dimensions of what esports has become,” said Hans Jagnow, Director of Club, National Team & Player Relations at the Esports Foundation. “In the T1 jersey, he is the ultimate symbol of competitive excellence: the most decorated player in League of Legends history, still competing at the highest level and adding the inaugural Esports World Cup title to a career that has defined the game. In the jersey of the Republic of Korea, he is a national hero who carries the expectations of a country that has helped shape modern esports, and who will bring that responsibility to the Esports Nations Cup. Beyond any jersey, he is a cultural icon and the voice of a generation whose identities, communities and ambitions have been shaped through games.
“It is a privilege for the Esports Foundation to work with Faker across each of these roles,” continued Jagnow. “Our responsibility is not simply to celebrate what he has already achieved, but to give his experience and influence a platform across the full breadth of our ecosystem, from the Esports World Cup and Esports Nations Cup to the New Global Sport Conference. By connecting his voice with players, fans, media, global leaders and decision-makers, we can ensure that one of esports’ defining figures also helps shape where the sport goes next.”
The deal was announced on the first day of the League of Legends tournament at the 2026 Esports World Cup, with Faker and his T1 squad taking down GAM Esports to kick off the group stage. After winning at the inaugural Esports World Cup, but falling short last year, Faker will be looking to reclaim the EWC trophy and likely add a few more to his collection over the coming years.
“Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador,” said Faker. “I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”
With a career that spans well over a decade, Faker is one of the most tenured stars to play at the 2026 Esports World Cup, and will lead his team into national competition at the Esports Nations Cup later this year. There is no sign his playing career will come to an end anytime soon, but this deal makes it clear that when that time does come, there will still be a lot of demand for the experience and wisdom of one of the greatest gamers of all time.
