Following a break for the holidays, the FC Pro Open is back with Match Week 5 and we’ve got plenty of action to kick off the New Year. Six elite EA SPORTS FC™ players will face off knowing that they have a chance to win a slice of the huge $532,000 prize pool and earn a spot at the FC Pro World Championship.
These are the players in Group A who will battle for a spot in the FC Pro Open Finals:
FC Pro Open | Group A Player Bios
Jafonso
World Ranking: 3
Team: Al Nassr Esportsa
After competing in the European scene for several years, Jafonso took his talents to the U.S. where he delivered a spectacular performance for the New England Revolution, winning the eMLS Cup. His victory was nearly flawless, scoring 18 goals and conceding only three, with his standout moment coming with a 6-0 demolition of K1John in the eMLS Cup.
Despite a lengthy layoff between competitions, Jafonso maintained his momentum in the FC Pro World Championship. Although he lost his first match to Virgil, Jafonso fought back in the Loser Bracket, defeating isopowerr and FC Pro Open champion PHzin to secure a spot in the Knockout Stage.
Wins over Maxkoelemanjj and K1John—for a second time this season—carried him to the semi-finals. Though he eventually lost to finalist Yuval, Jafonso showed his resilience by coming back from a 2-1 deficit to win 4-2 against K1John.
His success in both those competitions meant that he came into the Esports World Cup with plenty of momentum. Luckily for him, he was able to turn that momentum into a career-defining win, lifting the Esports World Cup with a 6-2 win over Young.
After an impressive performance in Week 1 of the FC Pro Open, where he secured four wins and suffered just one loss to top Group A, Jafonso is now one step closer to reaching the FC Pro Open Finals and adding another trophy to his collection.
xcharifx
World Ranking: 35
Team: Raja Casablanca x All Gamers Global
Last season, xcharifx was able to get as far as the FC Pro Open Global Qualifier, eventually losing to Emre Yilmaz 7-1. Despite that setback, the 2024 season turned into a banner year for the Moroccan. The 20-year-old bounced back from a disappointing run in last season’s FC Pro Open by winning the eBotola 2024 with a solid 2-0 victory over Wydad for Raja Casablanca, locking in his spot in the FC Pro World Championship Play-Ins.
Although considered an underdog to win the competition, xcharifx stood out from the moment he picked up his controller and began competing in the Play-Ins. A 3-0-1 record ensured he would make it to the Group Stage of the competition.
The FC Pro World Championship Group Stage is when the EA SPORTS FC community began to take notice of him as he beat huge favourite Mark 11 and K1John to earn a spot in the Knockout Stage.
With strong support from Morocco, he went on to earn impressive wins against NathanSR99 and AbuMakkah in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals, respectively, before losing 6-0 to eventual winner Anders Vejrgang in the semi-finals.
Despite earning an invite to this year’s FC Pro Open following a top-four finish in the FC Pro World Championship, xcharifx struggled to find his footing in Week 1, managing to secure only four points. To keep his hopes alive, he’ll need an almost flawless performance in Week 5 to advance to the next stage of the competition.
FacuCowen
World Ranking: 18
Team: Tuzzy Esports
Argentinian esports sensation FacuCowen is gearing up for another shot at glory in the FC Pro Open. After a solid showing at last season’s competition, he’s ready to prove why he’s considered one of the top talents at this year’s tournament.
Last year, FacuCowen made a strong impression despite falling short of advancing past the inaugural FC Pro Open. His incredible Match Week 6 performance, where he racked up 10 points, showcased his potential. Among his scalps were FC Pro Open champion PHzin, eChampions League 2022 runner-up Matias Bonanno, and Esports World Cup runner-up Young—a true statement of intent.
FacuCowen has punched his ticket into the competition by earning his spot through a series of commanding victories in the FC Pro Open Global Qualifier. His standout moments included a dominant 4-0 win over eLigue 1 2024 champion Montaxer and a thrilling 3-2 triumph against eLigue 1 semi-finalist Brice in the Loser Bracket Finals, sending his rival packing.
With two wins and three losses in Week 1 of the competition, the Argentinian FacuCowen finds himself in a precarious position.
Victories against the players ranked above him in the group would significantly boost his chances of progressing to the next round. However, with such slim margins, a single loss could prove costly, leaving FacuCowen with little room for error.
NikSNEB
World Ranking: 39
Team: 1J Esports
Jacob "NiKSNEB" Benskin has been a prominent figure in the esports arena for several years, representing his country in major international competitions. Alongside fellow British talents Tekkz and Stingray, NiKSNEB has established himself as one of the UK's top players.
At 20 years old, NiKSNEB secured his place in the FC Pro Open Global Qualifier with impressive performances against formidable opponents. He began with a 5-3 victory over Tekkz during the Group Stage, followed by a commanding 3-1 win against Brazilian star Paulo Neto in the Winner’s Bracket final. NikSNEB sits in second place in Group A after securing impressive victories over FacuCowen, Mark11, and Stingray, earning himself nine points.
With fellow Brit Stingray also on nine points but placed third due to goal difference, their Round 6 showdown promises to be a must-watch for the entire FC community.
Mark 11
World Ranking: 11
Team: FUTWIZ
Widely regarded as one of the top esports figures in Australia, Mark11 has been a powerhouse in the competitive scene for years, amassing an impressive collection of trophies throughout his illustrious career. Mark11’s dominance in the E-League is nothing short of legendary, with three titles under his belt between 2021 and 2024. His most recent triumph was a thrilling comeback victory against fellow Australian Dylan Campbell, cementing his reputation as one of the region’s finest players.
After a narrow 3-2 defeat to Dylan in the E-League Upper Bracket Final, Mark11 showcased his resilience in the Loser Bracket Final, delivering a jaw-dropping 7-1 performance to secure a spot in the Grand Final. In a highly anticipated rematch, he avenged his earlier loss with a commanding 7-2 victory over two legs, adding yet another E-League trophy to his growing cabinet.
Mark11’s talent extends beyond the E-League, having earned a runner-up spot in the . His journey to the final was exceptional, though he fell just short in a dramatic penalty shootout against fellow FC Pro Open competitor ManuBachoore.
After the disappointment of being eliminated in the Group Stage of last season’s FC Pro Open, Mark11 is determined to make a deeper run this time.
However, with only four points in the competition so far, he faces an uphill battle. To avoid another early exit, he’ll need to deliver standout performances and hope for a few upsets along the way. The pressure is on for Mark11 to turn his fortunes around.
Stingray
World Ranking: 24
Team: Twisted Minds
With a string of trophies and championships to his name, Stingray has cemented his reputation as one of the most formidable EA SPORTS FC players in the world when firing on all cylinders.
The gifted Brit has already made waves internationally, most notably winning the eLigue 1 2023 title alongside Fouma for FC Lorient. His stellar form continued at the 2023 World Championship, where he reached the quarter-finals, taking down elite players such as Leks, BerkayLion, and Montaxer on his journey.
After falling short of qualifying for last year’s FC Pro Open, Stingray returned this season with renewed determination. He made an immediate statement during the FC Pro Open Global Qualifier Group Stage, dispatching Argentinian talent Joelr_21 with a solid 4-2 victory to advance to the Winners Bracket Final.
However, it was his triumph over 2023 World Champion, Manu Bachoore, that truly highlighted his potential as a dark horse in this year’s FC Pro Open. In a tense and thrilling match, Stingray edged out a 3-2 victory, earning his place in the competition and setting the stage for a potential run at the coveted FC Pro Open trophy.
Stingray will begin Week 5 of the competition against NikSNEB in what should be an intriguing battle between two of Britain's best EA SPORTS FC™. A win for either of them will put them in pole position for second place in Group A, so expect an intense battle between two players who know each other extremely well.
FC Pro Draft
The FC Pro Draft returns for this year’s FC Pro Open, challenging competitors to assemble teams within a fixed coin budget, complete with a starting XI and substitutes.
Participants must often meet extra requirements, such as incorporating stars from specific leagues or including a set number of special items like Trailblazers or Centurions.
Head over to the FC Pro Draft website to discover the squads built by Group D players and gain insight into their strategies ahead of Match Week 4.
FC Pro Open | Match Week 5 Fixtures
Round 6 (18:10 GMT)
(11) Mark11 vs (3) Jafonso
(24) Stingray vs (39) NikSNEB
(18) FacuCowen vs (35) xcharifx
Round 7 (18:50 GMT)
(39) NikSNEB vs (3) Jafonso
(11) Mark11 vs (35) xcharifx
(24) Stingray vs (18) FacuCowen
Round 8 (19:30 GMT)
(3) Jafonso vs (18) FacuCowen
(35) xcharifx vs (24) Stingray
(39) NikSNEB vs (11) Mark11
Round 9 (20:10 GMT)
(3) Jafonso vs (35) xcharifx
(39) NikSNEB vs (18) FacuCowen
(11) Mark11 vs (24) Stingray
Round 10 (20:50 GMT)
(24) Stingray vs (3) Jafonso
FacuCowen vs Mark11
xcharifx vs NikSNEB
How to Watch Match Week 5 of the FC Pro Open
Fans can catch all the action from Group A of the FC Pro Open live on Monday, 6 January, at 6:00 PM GMT, streaming on the EA SPORTS FC Pro YouTube and Twitch channels.
Missed it? Match Week 5 will be rebroadcast on Tuesday, 7 January, at 2:00 AM GMT on Twitch.
Stay up to date with highlights and key moments by following EA SPORTS FC Pro on Instagram, X, and TikTok.
Viewership and In-Game Rewards
Fans tuning in to Match Week 5 of the FC Pro Open can earn exciting rewards! Follow these simple steps to claim yours:
Check FCPro.com to learn about the rewards available for watching Match Week 5 of the FC Pro Open. Don’t miss out—enjoy the action and earn your rewards!
