South Korea is sending a roster built to win. The Republic of Korea has confirmed its VALORANT lineup for the 2026 Esports Nations Cup, locking in five players and a head coach for the inaugural competition running November 8 through 15 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The team earned a direct invitation to the main event, bypassing any qualifying stage. That privilege comes from South Korea’s position at #2 in the ENC national rankings, where the country has accumulated 8,525 points based on the strength of its top players.
The roster and why it matters
The lineup features some of the most recognizable names in Korean VALORANT. Yu “BuZz” Byeong-cheol and Byeon “Munchkin” Sang-beom headline the five-player squad, both carrying significant competitive pedigree from the VCT Pacific scene.
Leading the team is head coach Kim “SilKanoN” Gyeong-min, whose appointment was confirmed on June 23. SilKanoN arrives with momentum, having guided Nongshim RedForce to a championship victory at 2026 Masters Santiago earlier this year.
