Gerard Piqué, Ronaldo, and Kaká Launch the 2026 Kings League World Cup
Gerard Piqué and Brazilian soccer icons Ronaldo “O Fenômeno” and Kaká officially unveiled the Kings World Cup Nations 2026 (Kwcn26), the Kings League’s 7-a-side World Cup for nations, during a global press conference in São Paulo, Brazil—the defending champion following its spectacular 6-2 victory over Colombia in last year’s final at Turin’s Allianz Stadium, and the host country.
The three soccer legends, all of whom have won World Cups during their careers, unveiled a World Cup designed for the next generation but sure to thrill fans around the globe. Scheduled for January 3–17, 2026, in São Paulo, Kwcn26 will bring together 20 national teams and more than 250 players in 40 matches to crown the Kings League world champion.
The teams are led by the world’s top streamers and content creators, soccer legends, and elite 7-a-side soccer players. Among the legends serving as “Captains” of their national teams—supporting the teams with social media content and streaming appearances—are: Blur (Italy’s top Twitch streamer), 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 January 3, on the first day of the tournament, with a big match against Spain, kicking off at 10:00 p.m. (Italian time). However, it will be Italy that kicks off the tournament by taking on France at 6:00 p.m. on the same day. Also in Italy’s group 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: passion, creativity, and our connection with the fans. In just two editions, this event has become one of the most important moments on our global calendar. Bringing the tournament to Brazil, with the defending champions playing on home turf, 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” repechage round, before culminating in an eight-team single-elimination final stage. The competition will conclude on January 17 at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, a venue with a capacity of over 40,000 that was already sold out for the final of the first season of Kings League Brazil in May of this year.
