The group stages have been drawn ahead of the PES League world finals which take place in Milan, Italy over the next two days (May 27 and 28).
Taking place as part of a official welcoming ceremony for the players at their accommodation in Milan, the draw split the 32 competitors into four groups of eight players.
Argentinian ReyMolina2014 was the first player to be drawn and was joined in Group 1 by Liejaaa (Belgium), Djibrilliant (Greece), Arthursimf (Russia) and Iamzlatan (Austria) all of whom have previous PES World Final experience. Also drawn in Group 1 was the first ever PES World Finalist to qualify through Steam – Kepapfc1994 as well as PabloArtista (Spain) and Verysutton (Hong Kong).
Reigning PES World Finalist Usmakabyle (France) will kick off his campaign in Group 2 alongside seven PES World Finals debutants. These include the first ever Indian Champion Aniruud as well as Hatem1112 (Israel), Vfantasista (South Korea), Mehuu (Finland), Kasey_Bojar (Poland) and RodryBMX20 (USA). Rest of the World Region winner JCBMacedon who represents Macedonia will also compete in the group.
UEFA Champions Festival 2013 winner Barboza (Portugal) was drawn in group Group 3 and features alongside a Latin American contingent of RodrigoBarrera (Chile), Kopperspumas (Mexico) and Colthirst – who will be the first player to represent Panama at a PES World Finals. Making up the rest of Group 3 was Linkzetank (France), DCraneBMF (Netherlands), Baggitekstil (Turkey) and three time UK Champion Ambidextrous.
Group 4 will contain Morocco’s Fassous, who will be looking to be the first Win A Seat World Finalist to progress from the group stages. He’ll face competition for a qualifying spot from German Champion Lennao and Hinon of Japan as well as the remaining Latin American players, Davalty (Colombia), Jhonkara (Peru) and the hotly tipped Guifera15 of Brazil. Saudi Arabian player Ahmedksa33 was also drawn in group 4 however has been unable to make the trip.
The top four players in each group will qualify for the seeded knockout phase of the PES World Finals where they’ll be just four wins away from lifting the PES World Final trophy live in front of the crowd on the UEFA Champions Festival Stage.
Along with getting to hold aloft the trophy, the winning player will receive 15.000 Euros, with second and third place getting 5.000 Euros and 3.000 Euros respectively.
The new PES League Champion and the losing finalist will also win the opportunity to play PES 2016 pitch-side before the UEFA Champions League Final and then watch the match live in the stands from the San Siro Stadium.
You can keep up with all the action from the PES World Finals live on our Twitch Channel from 10:30 (CEST, Local time in Milan) on May 27.
The PES World Final 2016 takes place on May 27 and May 28 in Milan, Italy.