Fifa eWorld Cup 2019 ones to watch: Who are the favourites to win?

Can MsDossary make history with back-to-back wins, or can Tekkz bring it home?

The world's best players have converged on the O2 in London for the 2019 eWorld Cup (AFP/Getty Images)

The world’s 32 best Fifa players have gathered in London to play for the chance to be crowned world champion at the 2019 Fifa eWorld Cup.

Alongside the trophy and bragging rights, the winner will also take home a $250,000 (£210,000) grand prize.

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The tournament takes place over three days at the O2 in London, from 2-4 August, with 16 of the players on Playstation and 16 on Xbox. The best of each stream will meet in the final, for a two-legged match to decide the world champion.

Those taking part are the best of the best when it comes to Fifa, meaning any of the players has a legitimate chance of taking home the winner’s trophy.

Among the favourites are Donnovan ‘Tekkz’ Hunt, Nicolas ‘Nicolas99fc’ Villalba and Corentin ‘MaestroSquad’ Thuillier, though it is difficult to look past Mossad ‘MsDossary’ Aldossary.

The Saudi Arabian winner of the 2018 eWorld Cup is back in London this year to defend his crown in the hope of becoming the first player since the tournament began to win back-to-back world titles.

“I really want to go back and win it again this year because noone has done back-to-back world championships,” he said in an interview with Fifa earlier this year. “I’m looking forward to it.”

The 2018 winner of the Fifa eWorld Cup was MsDossary from Saudi Arabia (Fifa)

To do the double, MsDossary will need to beat fellow favourite Tekkz, who is currently ranked as the world’s number one Fifa player.

He has been picking up win after win in the months of qualifying rounds leading up to the finals, and is arguably the biggest threat to the reigning champion.

“Tekkz versus MsDossary has been building throughout the entire season about who is the best competitive Fifa player this year,” said Dan Gaskin, one of the commentators at the eWorld Cup.

“Are we going to see MsDossary pick up a second world title? He would join just two other players in doing so and would also add a new record by winning back-to-back titles – no-one else has done it.”

You can follow all the latest news from the eWorld Cup on The Independent.

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[4 August 2019 15:10 · Andrew Griffin]

We are off. The first semi final, the Xbox match between Rafsou and Msdossary, is all go.

[4 August 2019 15:11 · Andrew Griffin]

Msdossary is of course the favourite going into this weekend, as trying to make history by becoming the first ever player to win back-to-back world championships. But French Rafsou is not making it easy.

[4 August 2019 15:12 · Andrew Griffin]

Goal! Rafsou scores. He's making it very difficult indeed for Msdossary. France's finest Fifa player uses France's finest football player Mbappé to score a lovely goal.

[4 August 2019 15:14 · Andrew Griffin]

Rafsou is looking very dangerous here. Had a couple more chances since that goal, and Msdossary is looking jittery.

[4 August 2019 15:16 · Andrew Griffin]

Half time. It's 1-0 Rafsou as the two players chat to their coaches.

[4 August 2019 15:18 · Andrew Griffin]

Msdosssary comes into the second half looking a little more energetic and active. But he still looks very much behind.

[4 August 2019 15:19 · Andrew Griffin]

Rafsou is simply not letting Msdossary touch the ball.

[4 August 2019 15:19 · Andrew Griffin]

A pause here, with a couple of substitutions.

[4 August 2019 15:23 · Andrew Griffin]

Msdossary gets another goal to bring it equal.

[4 August 2019 15:24 · Andrew Griffin]

And now it's 2-1 to Rafsou!

Immediately  Rafsou comes back! He scores straight away.