Zachary “Zekken” Patrone and Cryocells “Cryo” are set to play together again on the United States national roster for the Esports Nations Cup 2026. The two haven’t shared a team since their time on XSET back in 2022, making this one of the more compelling storylines heading into the international tournament.

The US squad reads like a greatest-hits compilation of North American VALORANT talent. Zekken, Cryo, Valyn, Leaf, Trent, Ethan, Skuba, jawgemo, and Crashies round out the nine-player pool, with JoshRT at the helm as head coach.

What the ENC roster rules actually mean

The ENC enforces a cap of three players from any single club team, which forces coaches to build rosters with genuine diversity rather than just transplanting an existing pro squad onto a national stage. The format calls for five starters and two substitutes, meaning JoshRT will need to carve a functional lineup out of nine players who come from different team environments, different playbooks, and different competitive rhythms.

Why the Zekken-Cryo reunion matters

Zekken and Cryo’s time together on XSET in 2022 was brief but memorable. Both players have since established themselves as elite-tier talent in North America’s VALORANT scene, taking different paths through the franchise ecosystem.

The roster also includes several world champions, which speaks to the depth of the US talent pool. The US currently sits atop the ENC national rankings with approximately 13,000 player points, the highest of any participating country.

That ranking isn’t just cosmetic. It likely influences seeding and bracket placement in the tournament’s qualifier stage, giving the Americans a structural advantage before a single round is played.

The road to Riyadh

The Esports Nations Cup 2026 will feature national teams from over 32 countries. The tournament culminates with a grand final scheduled for November 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following a series of regional qualifiers.

As of late April 2026, the US roster has not been officially locked. That means JoshRT still has room to make adjustments based on player performance, meta shifts, or strategic considerations leading up to the event. Nine players for seven spots (five starters, two subs) means at least two names on the current list may not make the final cut.