Team Falcons sped to a one-sided Rocket League victory over Spacestation Gaming in the Grand Final, winning 11 straight games
Team Falcons have been crowned Rocket League champions at the Esports World Cup 2026, delivering a dominant 4-0 victory over Spacestation Gaming in the Grand Final to claim the title for the first time. The Saudi Arabian Club, represented by Samy “dralii” Hajji and brothers Yazeed Abdullah “Kiileerrz” Bakhashwin and Saleh Abdullah “Rw9” Bakhashwin, secured the long-awaited trophy after three years of competing at the Esports World Cup.
For dralii, he’s now the first three-time champion in Esports World Cup history, a testament to his skill and prowess as a Rocket League player. Achieving the feat on three different rosters has shown that he has been the deciding factor in each roster, and cements him as one of the greatest Rocket League players of all time.
At one point during these playoffs, Team Falcons were down 1-2 in the quarterfinals against Twisted Minds, and trailed 2-5 in game four. But they rallied together to force overtime, win the game, and then close out the series in two more games. Following that comeback in game four versus Twisted Minds, Team Falcons looked undefeatable, and took down the reigning champions and dralii’s former roster, Karmine Corp, in dominant 4-0 fashion in the semifinals to earn their place in the Grand Final.
Team Falcons finished their spectacular playoff run as they started, with fast, dominating plays that would see them close out each game with near-perfection. With the momentum set, Team Falcons took four games in a row to close out the best of seven series with another sweep.
Team Falcons, who had previously missed out on qualifying for the Paris Major earlier in the year, chalked up their first-place finish to hard work. On how he maintained trust and confidence in the team, Yazeed Abdullah “Kiileerrz” Bakhashwin said, “Because I had confidence, these are basically soldiers. When we didn’t qualify for Paris [Major], we practiced more and more, and it is through the hands of these soldiers that we came here.”
Samy “dralii” Hajji spoke on what it meant to him to be a three-time EWC champion, saying, “It means a lot to me, to have done such a thing in such a legendary tournament. Honestly, I couldn’t be happier about it, not just for myself but also for my teammates and Falcons. Words can’t explain how happy I am about this.”
Team Falcons’ Saleh Abdullah “Rw9” Bakhashwin was named as the tournament MVP, where he showed fantastic skill and poise throughout. He averaged 0.78 goals per game, 0.83 assists per game, and 1.91 saves per game; tremendous stats for a world-class player.
“We thank our precious crowd and we will tell them that this is the least we can do for you, and that this is not going to be the end of our journey,” said Saleh Abdullah “Rw9” Bakhashwin after receiving his MVP award.
With the win, Team Falcons have earned $400,000, and 1,000 Club Championship points, which takes them to the top of the table with 4,400 points. Team Falcons are now 300 points clear of their nearest rival, AG AL, who sit in second with 4,100 points. With those two Clubs in leading positions, and both Team Vitality and Natus Vincere still in striking distance just below them, the Club Championship will be decided in the final tournaments in week seven of EWC 2026.
Ahead of the grand finals was the match for third place, which took place between two European teams: Karmine Corp and Ninjas In Pyjamas eStar. Though the placement wasn’t where either team had hoped to be, the showdown would cement Ninjas in Pyjamas eStar as the best team in the region as they beat Paris Major winners Karmine Corp 2-0. NIP finished in third as a result, earning $100,000 and 500 Club Championship points.
