Former Chelsea and Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard has confirmed his return to the pitch for the upcoming Kings World Cup in Mexico. The tournament, set to take place between May 26 and June 8, will see Hazard join a star-studded lineup that includes the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, and Rio Ferdinand.
The Kings World Cup is part of the Kings League, a competition initiated by former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué in Spain in 2023. The league has gained significant traction, with notable figures such as Sergio Aguëro and Iker Casillas serving as presidents of teams.
In addition to the Spanish league, the Américas Kings League has recently been launched in Mexico, featuring participants from South America, including streamers, content creators, and footballers.
The Kings World Cup will bring together 32 teams from the two leagues, along with 12 wildcard entries from around the world, competing for a substantial $1 million cash prize. The tournament will feature a unique format with 40-minute, seven-a-side matches, incorporating video game-style rules to enhance the excitement.
Hazard, who announced his retirement from professional football last year, will make a comeback as a player for Deptostra FC, a team managed by Belgian streamer Céline Dept. On the other hand, Ferdinand will lead his team, Five FC, alongside content creator Jeremy Lynch.
Other notable figures involved in the tournament include Neymar, who will co-own one of the Brazilian teams, and Mario Götze, the 2014 World Cup hero, who will oversee Youniors FC. Ibrahimovic, with an illustrious career in top European clubs, has been appointed as the president of the Kings World Cup.
The Kings League aims to blend the essence of football with innovative gameplay elements, such as periods where goals count double and random player removals determined by dice rolls. While most teams consist of amateur or semi-professional players, team presidents have the liberty to recruit additional talent, with past appearances from football legends like Ronaldinho, Andrea Pirlo, and Andriy Shevchenko.
The Kings World Cup promises to be a thrilling event, showcasing a fusion of footballing talent and entertainment, as the global football community eagerly anticipates the kickoff in Mexico.
