Vejrgang controls the pitch at the FC Pro 26 Open

The Open featured 24 elite competitors and served as a milestone for a hard fought 2025 and an early measuring stick for the season ahead, offering a first look at which players are ready to contend as the Road to EWC begins to take shape.

Group play set the tone, with Vejrgang, who signed with Team Falcons in August 2025, establishing control early and finishing at the top of his group. As the tournament moved into the knockout stage, the margins tightened and every match carried added weight.

Many familiar faces appeared along Vejrgang’s path to victory. He faced Manuel “ManuBachoore” Bachoore in the quarterfinal in what turned out to be one of the tournament’s most demanding matchups, edging through a back-and-forth contest to advance. The semifinal brought another narrow test, this time against another standout player in Levi de Weerd, with Vejrgang once again showing the discipline needed to close out a high-pressure series.

The final saw Vejrgang meet Emre Yilmaz, who emerged from the opposite side of the bracket after a strong run of his own. After conceding early, Vejrgang responded with authority, pulling ahead and locking down the match to claim the FC Pro 26 Open title.

From Riyadh to London

The FC Pro 26 Open featured several competitors whom we saw last summer in Riyadh on the Esports World Cup stage in 2025, adding experience and familiarity to an already competitive field. Each of these players is an accomplished EA SPORTS FC pro with years of playtime under their belt.

Vejrgang, ManuBachoore, Levi de Weerd, and Emre Yilmaz all returned to international play with Esports World Cup appearances behind them, and that experience showed as the bracket narrowed. ManuBachoore, who took home the FC Pro 25 World Championship at Esports World Cup 2025 trophy, showcased why he continues to show up with high placements. Their ability to manage momentum swings and close out critical moments helped define the later rounds of the tournament.

The presence of these returning EWC competitors highlighted the Open’s role as a battleground for players already accustomed to the highest level of competition.

Road to EWC

The FC Pro 26 Open represents an early milestone on the road to EWC with performances here helping shape the qualification picture for the season ahead.

As the FC Pro calendar continues, results across events and league competition will determine which players earn a chance to compete on the global stage. With momentum already building and familiar names asserting themselves early, the race toward Riyadh is officially underway.

The FC Pro 26 Open did more than crown a champion. It set the tone for two seasons defined by the highest level of virtual football.