Gerard Piqué, Ronaldo and Kaka launch the 2026 Kings League World Cup
Gerard Piqué and Brazilian soccer icons Ronaldo the Phenomeno and Kaká officially unveiled the Kings World Cup Nations 2026 (Kwcn26), the Kings League 7-a-side World Cup for Nations, during a global press conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the defending champion after its spectacular 6-2 victory over Colombia in last year’s final in Turin, Italy, at Allianz Stadium, and the host country.
The three soccer legends, all world champions during their careers, have unveiled a World Cup designed for the younger generation, but destined to excite fans around the world. Scheduled for Jan. 3-17, 2026 in São Paulo, Kwcn26 will bring together 20 national teams and more than 250 players in 40 matches to determine the Kings League world champion.
The teams are led by the world’s greatest streamers and content creators, soccer legends and elite 7-a-side players. Legends who serve as “Captains” of their national teams, supporting the teams with content on social media and streaming appearances include Blur (top Italian streamer on Twitch), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), Arturo Vidal (Chile), Neymar (Brazil), Kun Agüero (Argentina), James Rodríguez (Colombia), Miguel Layún (Mexico) and Weston McKennie (USA).
Brazil will begin its title defense on Jan. 3, on the first day, with a big game against Spain, with kickoff at 10 p.m. (Italian time). It will, however, be Italy itself that will open the dances by taking on France, at 6 p.m. on the same day. Also in the group with Italy are Poland (whose “co-captain” will be Robert Lewandowski) and Algeria.
“The Kings World Cup Nations – said Kings League founder and president Gerard Piqué – is a celebration of everything that makes the Kings League special: the passion, the creativity and the connection with the fans. In just two editions, this event has become one of the highlights of our global calendar. Bringing the tournament to Brazil, with the defending champions defending the title at home, elevates it to a whole new level: fans around the world will be amazed by this edition”.
The Kings World Cup Nations will begin with a group stage (five groups of four), followed by a Last Chance, a repechage phase, before culminating in an eight-team knockout final round. The competition will conclude on Jan. 17 at São Paulo’Allianz Parque, a 40,000-plus-seat facility that has already sold out for the final of the first season of Kings League Brazil in May this year.
