EA Names FC Pro World Trophy After Diogo Jota

EA Sports has renamed its FC Pro World Championship trophy the Diogo Jota FC Pro World Championship Trophy to honor the late forward. The trophy will be presented for the first time at the 2026 FC Pro World Championship in Paris, scheduled for July 22-27 as part of the Esports World Cup.

EA Sports announced the change was made with the blessing of Jota’s family and recognizes his involvement in competitive gaming alongside his professional football career.

Jota competed in EA Sports events, including a victory at the 2020 ePremier League Invitational while representing Wolverhampton Wanderers. He later founded LUNA Esports, an organization that entered players in EA competitions across multiple years.

Monica Dinsmore, Head of Esports at Electronic Arts, issued a statement:

Diogo represented a rare bridge between traditional football and competitive gaming, embodying the spirit, dedication, and love for the game that defines FC Pro competition.

Rute Cardoso, Jota’s wife, released a message saying the family is deeply touched by the tribute and that future champions lifting the trophy will help keep his legacy alive in the community he loved.

Armando Vale, general manager of LUNA Esports, described the renaming as ‘a beautiful tribute to a pursuit that brought Jota immense happiness’ and highlighted his dedication to growing the gaming community.

Diogo Jota, 28, and his 25-year-old brother André Silva died in a car crash on July 3, 2025, in Zamora province, Spain. Local police reported the brothers were traveling to England, where Jota was due to begin pre-season preparations with Liverpool. Jota played as a forward for Liverpool and the Portuguese national team; his brother played for Penafiel in Portugal.

The FC Pro competitive circuit runs from October through July and features thousands of players worldwide. EA Sports added it will explore additional ways to honor Jota’s memory within the esports community.