Two E-League stars will be among 128 competitors vying for a place at the FIFA eWorld Cup when they contest the EA Sports FIFA 18 Global Series Playoffs in Amsterdam next month.
Samer Elbadar of Sydney FC and Melbourne City’s Josh Wood are set to represent Australia amid fierce competition at the week-long qualifying event, which runs from May 28 to June 3.
Elbadar was crowned the inaugural E-League Champion on Thursday after ousting Wood in a two-legged Grand Final played across PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Congratulations @Samer96_! Our inaugural @ELeagueAus Champion! #ELeagueFinals @SydneyFC pic.twitter.com/2S1AFlZYs2
— E-League (@ELeagueAus) April 26, 2018
But it’s just the beginning for the pair as they now turn their attention to Amsterdam.
The Global Series Playoffs are initially comprised of 64 players on each console.
The numbers are then whittled down to 16 apiece, making up the final 32 for the FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final in August.
Elbadar and Wood’s involvement comes as a big boost to Sydney FC and Melbourne City, who will receive global exposure through the gaming community tuning in across multiple platforms.
Last year’s eventual World Champion – Englishman Spencer Ealing – pocketed USD 200,000 in prize money.
Marcus Gomes, Wood’s team-mate at Melbourne City, reached the final 32 in 2017, but was dramatically beaten by Elbadar at the Console Grand Final stage on Thursday.
Where: ?? Amsterdam
When: ? May 28 – June 3
What: âš½ FIFA 18 Global Series Playoffs
Who: ?The top 128 #FIFA18 players#FIFAeWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2qzHHrFGIG— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) April 26, 2018
