The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced that 'Faker' Lee Sang-hyeok, the player holding the most championship titles in the history of 'League of Legends', will serve as a game ambassador for the Esports World Cup and the Esports Nations Cup until 2028. Joining the foundation's ambassador program alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen, Lee Sang-hyeok aims to spread the value of competitive culture across traditional sports and esports. He will participate in international tournaments, player support programs, and leadership forums to represent athletes and strengthen bonds with fans.

CEO Ralf Reichert stated, "It is impossible to talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is an iconic figure in competitive gaming who has inspired a generation through exceptional skill, rigorous self-discipline, and a long-standing presence at the pinnacle of the sport." Reichert added, "As a game ambassador, Faker embodies the core value of the program, proving that esports can produce global sports icons. Through activities spanning the EWC, ENC, and the New Global Sports Conference (NGSC), he will contribute to ensuring that the players who built esports have an active voice in shaping its future."

Faker Lee Sang-hyeok expressed, "The world of competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join as an EF game ambassador. While continuing my journey toward victory on the biggest stages with T1, I want to represent the players and fans who have built the growth of global esports together." He further remarked, "Through EF’s various platforms including the EWC and ENC, I want to inspire the next generation to constantly challenge themselves to be the best, never give up amidst difficulties, and believe in how far they can go through competitive gaming. There is still much left that I want to achieve."

Lee Sang-hyeok has been a premier player performing on the highest stage as part of T1 for over a decade. He has secured 6 League of Legends World Championship titles, 2 Mid-Season Invitational wins, and 10 LCK championships, and also reached the top at the inaugural Esports World Cup held in 2024. He is set to compete on the Esports World Cup stage again this week to challenge for the trophy. Meanwhile, Lee Sang-hyeok was recently awarded the Cheongryong Medal, the highest order of sports merit, by President Lee Jae-myung, becoming the first esports athlete to receive this honor and cementing his status as a national sports star in South Korea.