View source for News/ALGS Esports World Cup Issues Continue

{{News
|seo_title=ALGS Esports World Cup Issues Continue
|seo_keywords=Esports World Cup
|image=Ewc_new_partners.jpg
|tags=Esports World Cup
|date=2025-06-18T10:18:18.000Z
|sources={{NewsSource
|source=Esports News UK
|url=https://esports-news.co.uk/2025/06/17/esports-world-cup-controversy-reignites-in-algs/
|article=News/ALGS Esports World Cup Issues Continue
}}
|author=Andura
|category=Drama
|content=The decision by EA to merge the ALGS Midseason Playoffs with the Esports World Cup has sparked criticism from players and fans alike, particularly over the tournament’s placement in Saudi Arabia. The country’s track record on LGBTQ+ rights—where homosexuality and gender nonconformity are criminalized, and where punishments can include the death penalty—has raised alarms within the esports community.

Hambino, a key player for Team Orchids, publicly withdrew from the event just hours after securing qualification. Their announcement came with a candid statement highlighting personal safety concerns.

“It is illegal to be queer under Sharia law in Saudi Arabia,” Hambino told Esports News UK. “I very recently came out as trans, and I personally would not feel safe being in an environment surrounded by people in a country where they could legally murder someone like me.”

Hambino emphasized the broader implications of their decision, stressing solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

'''More:'''[[News/Esports World Cup Announced|Esports World Cup Announced]]

“Queer people have supported me my whole life, and I want to stand with them whenever I can. I'm hoping by making these statements, anyone in charge of ALGS, or even my fellow pro players, will see them and stand with me in solidarity.”

Their absence from the tournament comes at a significant professional cost. With Championship Points on the line, missing the Midseason Playoffs could jeopardize Team Orchids’ path to the ALGS Championship.

“It feels awful. I'm playing the best Apex I’ve played in my entire life—this is the first season I ever qualified for two LANs, and I won’t even get to play in one of them,” Hambino said. “There is a strong chance we don’t make Champs now because of EA’s decision to host EWC on the ALGS circuit.”

The backlash over the Saudi Arabian venue is not isolated to the Apex Legends scene. Across multiple competitive titles, players and fans have voiced concern about the alignment between esports events and a government with a documented history of human rights abuses, particularly against LGBTQ+ individuals.
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