Fanfare and prestige was elevated to a whole new level, as the FC Pro World Championship was held at the Esports World Cup for the very first time.
Within the vibrant festival-like atmosphere of Boulevard City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the world’s best EA FC25 players battled it out to become World Champion.
After over a week of intense competition, we crowned the first ever two-time World Champion, Team Liquid’s ManuBachoore.
But before the trophy could be lifted during a chorus of celebrations, there were many matches that had to be played.
The starting point was the massive 512 player Last Chance Qualifier. The very last opportunity for players from all corners of the globe to earn their spot in the Play-Ins. Only 5 would advance, the rest go home.
Over the three days of LCQ action, there were exciting newcomers and well-known veterans playing numerous matches, all determined to grab one of the limited spots in the Play-Ins.
The five players who earned the right to progress further in Riyadh were: Dudu27, Caccia, VP_Abel, HassanWright and Toobi_10.
Only one day later, the FC Pro World Championship Play-Ins took place. Welcoming FC Pro Partner League Champions and online tournament winners to play for one of the four remaining places in the World Championship Finals.
48 players (including the 5 LCQ entrants) first competed in a group stage and then onto a single elimination bracket to earn their place in the Finals. By the end of the day, it was: ManuBachoore, PHzin, DullenMike and QRNA who earned their way to play on the main stage at the Esports World Cup.
With the stage set and the 32 World Championship Finalists confirmed, it was time to play for the glory.
2024 World Champion and FC Pro Open Champion, Vejrgang, eChampions League winner, Emre Yilmaz and eLibertadores Champion, FacuCowen, were joined by league winners and other talented players made the line-up.
In the group stage we had shocks and amazing moments. Vejrgang utterly dominated Fakhr999, winning 10-2 in the first match of the day.
Emre Yilmaz picked up an impressive 7-2 victory over IsGoatMan. nicolas99fc breezed past QRNA in a 5-1 win. Team Liquid teammates faced off when ManuBachoore beat Chris de Boer 5-4 and Paulo Neto sent Brice down to the losers bracket after handing him an 8-3 defeat.
In the moment of Day One, AbuMakkah was given a hero's welcome by the home Team Falcons fans. Chanting and singing for him throughout his match versus DullenMike. With the packed arena chanting for him throughout, AbuMakkah won 9-4.
Shortly after, the war of words between AbuMakkah and Stingray came to a head when they clashed in the Upper Bracket Final. This was a huge showdown between Saudi Esports teams - Falcons v Twisted Minds. Deep inside the raucous atmosphere AbuMakkah picked up the win after a tense penalty shootout. The two then had crossed words as the full time whistle blew.
At the end of Day One, eight players had been eliminated after losing two matches. It was: Levyfinn, QRNA, Bonanno, PHzin, Fonseca, Chris de Boer, Fouma and GioBundyy who departed.
Nobody was prepared for the drama of Day Two. In a rematch from the first day, Vejrgang squared off against Fakhr999 in one of the Lower Bracket Finals. It wasn't a repeat of the first game, as the 196th ranked player in the world knocked out the defending FC Pro World Champion with a dramatic 91st minute winner to stun the arena.
Meanwhile, ManuBachoore put 10 past Rampazzo to secure victory. Brice eliminated Paulo Neto with a 5-3 win. Jonny inched past FacuCowen in a tense match that ended 4-3 and Danipitbull roared into the RO16 by beating Paulo Neto 6-4.
By the end of Day Two, 16 players had won two matches and progressed to the Round of 16. And another eight saw their tournament and season come to an end, with Vejrgang, Young, isGoatMan, DullenMike, FacuCowen, Rampazzo, Paulo Neto and Resende exiting the tournament.
There were more shocks and triumphs in store for Day Three. With the competition now turning into a straight knockout format.
The story of the day was Tekkz. The three-time ePremier League Champion had never made it to the Quarter-Finals of any World Championship, but that would change in Riyadh.
The Man City player had Danipitbull standing in the way of him making personal history. After a back and forth contest, it was Tekkz who emerged with a 6-4 win, and a place in the final 8!
While Tekkz was riding high, AbuMakkah was suffering heartbreak. His run at the World Championship came to an end thanks to Samugamer. The eSerie A Champion overcame the pressure and noise of the passionate Saudi fans to produce a 5-3 victory. It was a sad end for an emotional AbuMakkah, who remained a hero to his fans as they sung his name in support.
Brice continued his run in the competition with an unexpected win over nicolas99fc. With this match-up between French and Spanish champions ending 4-2 to Brice.
Team Liquid players went head-to-head again, as Emre Yilmaz sat across from Levi de Weerd for a place in the Quarter-Finals. After a tense 90 minutes of in-game action it was Levi de Weerd who progressed after picking up the 4-3 win.
Elsewhere in the Round of 16, GuiBarros, ManuBachoore, Jonny and Obrun all won, seeing them advance to the next round.
At the Quarter-Final stage, players are only two wins away from playing for the title of ‘World Champion’.
All of the Quarter-Final matches were tense affairs. With so much on the line, a single mistake could spell disaster.
A single misplaced pass in the final minute of added time in extra-time led to Tekkz being heartbreakingly eliminated. Conceding a late goal to GuiBarros to end the match 6-5 in the New York Red Bulls player.
ManuBachoore continued his run, which started in the Play-Ins, with a well-earned and hard fought victory 3-2 against Jonny. It was an emotional defeat for Jonny, as he was well supported by S8UL fans in the crowd.
Following on from their victories in the Round of 16, Samugamer and Levi de Weerd were set to do battle on the virtual pitch. In the match of youth v experience, it was the experience of Levi de Weerd that would shine through. The Team Liquid man would pick up the ‘W’ with a 5-2 scoreline.
In the last Quarter-Final, it was Brice who would succeed in overcoming the difficult challenge of Obrun. Despite a spirited display from the Italian Obrun, he could not figure out a way to beat the eLigue 1 runner up and lost 3-1.
Only four remained in the competition and there was no clear sign of a favourite. GuiBarros faced ManuBachoore, while Levi de Weerd had to play Brice in the Semi-Finals. These four also have now qualified for the FC Pro Open 2026 thanks to getting to this stage.
GuiBarros was hardly dispatched by ManuBachoore, with the former World Champion winning 5-1. On the other side of the bracket, Brice scored a late winner against Levi de Weerd, making the score 5-4 and getting him to the Grand Final on his World Championship debut.
So the Grand Final was set, ManuBachoore v Brice. Both players shared in one thing - they had incredible runs to the final and winning would be a story that would go down in FC Pro history.
ManuBachoore won the World Championship back in 2023 and had to qualify for the 2025 season's World Championship via the Play-Ins. While Brice’s run to the Final is a story of resurgence. The Frenchman finished 35th out of 36 at the eChampions League and was on very few people's radar as a potential World Champion.
The Grand Final was an all-action onslaught of technical mastery, cunning tactics and exceptional gameplay. But once the match had come to an end, the score read 5-3 in favour of ManuBachoore.
He had won it all! And became the first-ever two-time World Champion in the process. From Play-Ins to the title, ManuBachoore went on an unbeaten run to return to the top of the FC Pro mountain. Cue the celebrations, pyro, confetti and trophy lift. ManuBachoore created history in Saudi Arabia and has reignited the “GOAT’ conversation in the FC Pro ecosystem.
The FC Pro World Championship was the perfect way to draw the 2025 season to a close. Bringing joy and entertainment to us all, as we look forward to next season.
Will ManuBachoore be able to defend his World Championship? We’ll find out in summer 2026!
