Indian coaches confirmed for Esports Nations Cup 2026 ahead of player selection
(Courtesy : NODWIN Gaming, ENC 2026)
Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022 bronze medallist Moin Ejaz headlines India’s coaching line-up across BGMI, DOTA 2, Honor of Kings & more
India’s coaching line-up for the inaugural edition of the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC) has been confirmed, marking the official start of player selection for the country’s campaign at the global nation-based esports competition set to debut in Riyadh from November 2-29, 2026.
This comes as the Esports Foundation (EF) confirmed the appointment of over 700 Game Coaches representing the NTPs from more than 100 nations and territories, underlining the global scale of the ENC.
As the nation’s National Team Partner (NTP), NODWIN Gaming has appointed coaches across key titles who will now be responsible for identifying players, defining team strategy, and building competitive lineups.
Indian coaches line up for Esports Nations Cup 2026
Moin Ejaz (NO_Chanc3) will lead India’s DOTA 2 efforts, bringing more than a decade of competitive experience, which includes a historic bronze medal for India at the Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022 in Birmingham.
Rahul (Ayogi) has been appointed as the coach for Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). Over the years, as an analyst, manager, and coach, he has guided teams like Blind Esports and Team SouL to major titles, including BGMI Pro Series 2023, BGMI Masters Series Season 3, Chennai Esports Global Championship 2025, and BGIS 2026.
Abhishek Bajaj (GodspeedxD) steps in as the VALORANT coach, backed by a strong coaching resume of winning titles with teams such as Reckoning Esports, Bleed Esports, Grayfox Esports, and Velocity Esports.
In League of Legends, Pankaj Upadhyay (KAKA) will oversee the team, widely regarded as one of India’s top players having represented the country multiple times on the international stage.
For MOBA Legends: 5v5!, Steve Vitug (Dale) from the Philippines brings significant international experience, having led teams to top-six finishes at the World Championship with Omega Esports in 2021 and Falcon Esports in 2023.
Pratik Mehra (Aurum) takes on the role of coach for PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, known for his stint with Fnatic where he led the team to a win at PUBG Mobile All Stars India 2019, followed by a runner-up finish at PUBG Mobile India Series 2020 and a top-eight finish at the Peacekeeper Elite Championship 2019.
Ashrit Goyal (notyAshritB) has been named coach for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, with experience that includes a second-place finish at South Asia Nationals 2022 and consistent top-seven finishes across Asia Pacific competitions. Nirjhar Mitra (jocse) will guide India’s Rocket League campaign, having represented India at the Asian Nations Cup qualifiers and the Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022 regional finals, along with winning the Esportz Premier Series 2022.
Rounding out the line-up, Indonesian coach Gradyano Valendy (Rinnqt) has been brought in for Honor of Kings. He brings international exposure from coaching Rex Regum Qeon and competing in qualification pathways for both the Esports World Cup 2024 and the Honor of Kings World Championship 2024.
“The appointment of coaches marks a crucial milestone in India’s journey towards the Esports Nations Cup 2026. Each coach has been selected for their deep understanding of the game, competitive experience, and ability to identify and nurture talent within their respective titles. We are confident that this coaching group will lay a solid foundation for India’s campaign on the global stage,” said Nimish Raut, Global Head of Esports: Partnerships & Special Projects, NODWIN Gaming.
Thoughts from the CEO of Esports Foundation
The overall coaching pool reflects the breadth of global esports. Drawn from more than 90 leading esports organizations across the world, the group spans world champions, established leaders and emerging individuals building local scenes, connecting team development directly to the highest level of global competition.
“The Esports Nations Cup is being built step by step, and appointing team coaches is the next critical layer in that structure,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. “If teams are what make esports intuitive for a mainstream audience, coaches are what make them credible for players and fans. They bring identity, direction, and standards to each team. With more than 700 coaches now in place across over 100 National Team Partners, we’re turning the idea of nation-based competition into something people can understand instantly and believe in — a system that is structured, real, and ready to perform on the world stage.”
Conclusion
Attention now turns to finalizing player selections, as teams take shape ahead of the ENC’s global qualification pathway. The roster submission date is May 10, with announcements beginning mid-May. Competitors in solo-player games as well as in the remaining team-based titles will be identified through full open qualifiers, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.
The ENC introduces nation-based competition to the global esports calendar in a structured and recurring format.
By enabling nations and territories to organize teams, develop talent pathways and compete on a global stage, the ENC creates new opportunities for players while strengthening connections between local ecosystems and international competition. The full list of National Team Coaches will be available on the Esports Nations Cup website.
FAQs
Who is leading India’s coaching lineup for ENC 2026?
Moin Ejaz (NO_Chanc3), a Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022 bronze medallist, headlines the coaching lineup for India.
Which games are included in India’s ENC 2026 coaching lineup?
The lineup covers multiple titles including BGMI, DOTA 2, VALORANT, League of Legends, MLBB, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket League, and Honor of Kings.
Who appointed the coaches for India’s ENC 2026 team?
NODWIN Gaming, acting as India’s National Team Partner, appointed the coaches.
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Mahaksh Chauhan is a passionate gaming journalist who loves for old-school RPGs and turn-based games. With a keen eye for storytelling and a deep understanding of game mechanics, Mahaksh brings an unique perspective to the world of gaming. Inspired by classics like Persona, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Skyrim, Mahaksh is dedicated in sharing the magic of games with readers. When not writing or gaming, Mahaksh can be found cheering on WWE superstars or watching his favourite Anime.