The 2021 FIFAe World Cup and 2021 FIFAe Nations Cup esports events have been cancelled, FIFA have confirmed tonight.
For the second successive year, two of the biggest FIFA esports events in the world have been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. In 2020, EA instead launched the Summer Cup Series for professional FIFA players that were impacted by the cancellation of these events.
The last FIFAe World Cup to take place was back in 2019, with German player MoAuba (Mohammed Harkous) beating Saudi Arabian player Msdossary (Mosaad Aldossary) in the final.
The last FIFAe Nations Cup was also in 2019, with France being crowned the inaugural winners of the competition, as Lucas Cuillerier & Corentin Thuillier of France beat Argentinian duo Nicolas99fc & Yagoca in the final.
* Click here to subscribe to Level up! The Esports and Gaming Show, the podcast is available on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.*
FIFA has also revealed that despite the events being cancelled, players will still receive some prize money, with the full amount of prize money for each event due to be equally distributed to all qualified players and member associations.
FIFA confirmed the cancellation of both events via a statement on the official website, explaining that due to the ongoing pandemic, and the subsequent travel restrictions, the integrity of the competitions as well as the safety and health of all involved parties could not be guaranteed.
“Unfortunately, the FIFAe Nations Cup 2021™ and FIFAe World Cup 2021™ have been subject to the disruptive effect of the ongoing pandemic and subsequent global travel restrictions currently in place for qualified teams and players from around the world,” Said FIFA in an official statement.
“Various stakeholders also raised concerns during discussions about the hosting of the tournaments in relation to the dynamic global situation. The latest developments would not guarantee the integrity of the competitions as well as the safety and health of all involved parties, which continues to be a priority for us.
“The FIFAe World Cup 2021 was scheduled to be hosted in London, England from 6-8 August, whereas the FIFAe Nations Cup 2021 was scheduled for Copenhagen in Denmark from 20-22 August.
(Image: Eamonn McCormack – FIFA)
“In order to appreciate all of the efforts and hard work throughout the FIFAe season by the qualified participants, the full amount of prize money for each event will be equally distributed between all qualified players and member associations.
“The qualified players at the FIFAe World Cup will receive their share individually, whereas the member associations will receive their share for the FIFAe Nations Cup.
“The FIFAe team would like to express its gratitude to all involved parties for their commitment and the tournament preparations made so far as well as to all the efforts by the players and member associations throughout the season.
“FIFA will continue to monitor the situation concerning the ongoing pandemic globally, as well as any potential impact on the upcoming season.
“However – the FIFAe team is undoubtedly looking forward to the future of FIFA esports – and FIFAe will be back next year with more competition at the highest level.”
EA has recently confirmed that FIFA 22 will be released in the UK and worldwide on Friday, October 1, 2021. But there are various versions of FIFA 22 available to pre-order now.
The Standard Edition of FIFA 22 will follow the worldwide release date, but the Ultimate Edition offers four days early access, which means players will be able to play the game from Monday, September 27, 2021.
