November 26 – The Kings League – Gerard Piqué’s fast-growing, tech-heavy twist on small-sided football – has launched a nationwide search for three players to represent Team USA at next year’s Kings World Cup Nations in Brazil.
The 7-a-side league is leaning into its social-first DNA, asking hopefuls to post clips on Instagram or TikTok under the #KingsTeamUSA hashtag. Anyone can take part, and the three winners will have their travel and participation in the 2026 tournament fully covered.
The event, hosted in São Paulo, will bring together 20 national teams fronted by a mix of major streamers and former internationals.
Brazil, who lifted the trophy in Turin earlier this year, will defend their title. The final is booked for Allianz Parque, the home of Palmeiras, where organisers expect a crowd north of 40,000.
Team USA will again be guided by a hybrid leadership trio: USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie and streamers Jynxzi and Castro1021. Between them, they command a pretty significant online audience of more than 30 million, and they’ll be responsible for selections, tactics and the rolling livestream coverage that has become part of the Kings League’s identity.
That blend of football and creator-led showmanship has underpinned the competition’s rapid rise – not dissimilar from its main competitor the Baller League, which is leading a US expansion of its own.
Kings League says its first World Cup Nations edition drew more than 100 million live viewers and generated over 1.5 billion social impressions across its runtime. The US reached the quarter-finals before losing to Morocco on penalties.
The Kings League mixes seven-a-side football with a production model built around digital consumption, and its roster of national “owners” reads like a who’s who: Neymar for Brazil, Robert Lewandowski for Poland, Wesley Sneijder for the Netherlands, James Rodríguez for Colombia, Arturo Vidal for Chile and Miguel Layún for Mexico. Ronaldo Nazário serves as president to add that extra sprinkle of star power.
For Piqué, the US talent drive is as much about widening the league’s American base as it is about unearthing new players. “We know how much talent exists in the US and how many players are looking for a platform,” he said. “Finding three standout players to join Team USA in São Paulo is an exciting challenge. With Weston involved, and with Jynxzi and Castro1021 bringing huge energy, Team USA will be a major presence next year.”
Entries close on December 3, with shortlisted players to be showcased on 4 December ahead of the final squad announcement. Castro1021, who coached the US side in Italy, says Brazil will take the competition to another level. “Now it’s time for US talent to step up,” he said.
The 2026 World Cup Nations kicks off in January, part of a wider expansion that includes plans for a US footprint later in the year.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected].