Gear up for another electrifying round of FC Pro Open action as Match Week 8 begins on Monday, 27 January.
With nine players already confirmed to compete at this year’s FC Pro Open Final, now is the time to find out which players from Group D will join them so they can battle for a slice of the $532,000 and a chance to compete in this season’s FC Pro World Championship.
These are the competitors battling it out in Group D.
FC Pro Open | Group D Player Bios
PHzin
World Ranking: 9
Team: Al-Ula FC
Returning to the competition that made him a star in the FC community, Brazilian phenom PHzin will be keen to find even more success in the FC Pro Open once again.
PHzin’s career has been an incredible success story as fans have watched him win multiple trophies throughout his career. Victories on the international stage and CONMEBOL eLibertadores 2023 for his club turned him into one of best known players in the sport.
The 21-year-old then brought his talents to the FC Pro Open where he had top performances against some of the sport’s best players. PHzin had to beat competitors like Abu Makkah, Emre Yilmaz, Young, and Bonanno to secure his spot in the FC Pro Open Finals against Anders Vejrgang.
Their matchup turned out to be one of the most thrilling FC Pro matches of the season, as the Brazilian earned a dramatic 6-5 victory with the final kick of the game.
PHzin continued his success by winning the KPN eDivisie Finals for Ajax with Levi de Weerd. After losing to ManuBachoore in the second game of a best-of-three series, PHzin showed grit by defeating him in the third game. He secured the win on penalties after leveling the score in both regular and extra time.
Despite his initial success, he fell short of more silverware last season, losing 4-1 to Montaxer in the eChampions League Round of 16 and then to Virgil in the FC Pro World Championship.
With seven points earned during Match Week 4 of the FC Pro Open 25, PHzin finds himself just outside the qualification spots currently occupied by Levi de Weerd, Fouma, and AbuMakkah.
Inconsistency was his main issue when he last competed. However, if he can find his rhythm and string together a series of wins, he’ll undoubtedly become a strong contender for a qualification spot in the FC Pro Open Finals
Levi de Weerd
World Ranking: 13
Team: Team Gullit
The Netherlands' star Levi de Weerd is known for being one the sport’s most well-rounded players, having competed in the sport’s biggest competitions throughout his young career.
Since joining Team Gullit at 15 years old, Levi de Weerd has won multiple competitions for club and country. Now at 20 years old, he is living up to his potential and has become one of the sport’s most respected players.
Before joining last year’s FC Pro Open, de Weerd made his name on the national scene, winning the KPN eDivisie 2021-22 and the EA SPORTS Cup along with international trophies for the Netherlands. His journey during last year’s FC Pro Open was an impressive one, as he defeated fellow top talents in Tekkz, Obrun, and Fouma during the Group Stage to advance to the FC Pro Open Finals.
An impressive 4-1 win over RBLZ Gaming’s Umut secured his spot in the semi-finals, where he would lose a closely fought 4-3 battle against Anders Vejrgang.
Despite the loss, De Weerd continued to prove that he’s one of the best EA SPORTS FC players in the world, having won the KPN eDivisie 2024 and competed in the eChampions League and inaugural FC Pro World Championship.
Levi’s performance during Match Week 4 was very impressive, having earned points against the two people ahead of him in the group. A 5-1 victory over AbuMakkah and a draw against Fouma helped earn a total of eight points headings into Match Week 8.
AbuMakkah
World Ranking: 1
Team: Team Falcons
s one of the standout players emerging from Saudi Arabia, AbuMakkah has quickly become a fan favourite thanks to his exceptional skill and lethal goal-scoring ability.
While his talent has never been in question, AbuMakkah has truly established himself as a top-tier competitor through strong performances in major tournaments. A semi-finalist finish at the Esports World Cup and a quarter-final run at the FC Pro World Championship have solidified his reputation as one of the most in-form players in the sport.
AbuMakkah is no stranger to the FC Pro Open, having reached the quarter-finals last season, where he was narrowly defeated 4–3 by eventual champion PHzin. Since then, however, his game has reached new heights, making him a serious contender in this year’s competition.
The world number one currently sits at the top of Group D with 12 points, having defeated all his opponents except Levi de Weerd.
A strong run of wins in the upcoming matches will not only solidify his position as a frontrunner for the FC Pro Open Finals but also make him a leading candidate for an invite to the FC Pro World Championship, further proving why he’s the best in the world.
KTZN
World Ranking: 52
Team: Galatasaray Esports
Kaan "KTzn_91" Tüzün might not be the player everyone expects to make a deep run at this year’s FC Pro Open, but fans shouldn’t be surprised if he emerges as one of the competition’s biggest dark horses.
A mainstay in the Turkish international team, KTzn_91 has built a reputation as a dangerous opponent and a fan favourite. His ability to capitalise on even the smallest opportunities to score makes him a must-watch whenever he competes in major tournaments.
At the club level, KTzn_91 has earned widespread recognition for his dominance in Turkey. He claimed the eSüperLig 2023 title and followed it up with victory in the eTürkiye Kupası 2024, cementing his position as the country’s most dominant player.
Now, he’s looking to translate that success to the global stage at the FC Pro Open. His impressive performance during the FC Pro Open Global Qualifier—where he defeated formidable opponents like AboFawzi and Bandar to secure his spot—proves he has the skill and determination to compete with the best.
KTZN will be looking to rebound after a disappointing Match Week 4, where he managed just one win and suffered four losses, leaving him at the bottom of Group D.
With his tournament survival on the line, KTZN will need nothing short of a perfect run in the upcoming matches to keep his hopes alive and improve his chances of advancing in the FC Pro Open 25.
Paulo Neto
World Ranking: 25
Team: Atlanta United FC
Paulo Neto has established himself as one of the most exciting and dangerous competitors in EA SPORTS FC, consistently delivering exceptional performances whenever given the opportunity. As he gears up for his FC Pro Open debut, all eyes are on the Brazilian star.
Paulo Neto first made his mark in the South American scene, reaching the semi-finals of the CONMEBOL eLibertadores in 2022. Following his success, he moved to the United States to compete in the eMLS for Atlanta United FC, where he quickly became one of the competition’s most successful players.
Since joining the eMLS, Paulo Neto has won at least one trophy every year, including the eMLS League Series titles in 2021 and 2023 and the prestigious eMLS Cup in 2022. His success extends beyond club competitions; representing Brazil, Paulo Neto helped secure the eNations Cup 2023, defeating a talented Netherlands team featuring Levi de Weerd and Emre Yilmaz.
This year, Paulo Neto continued to impress during the FC Pro Open Global Qualifier, with standout victories over Seanldw and AboFawzi to earn his spot in the competition.
Unfortunately for the Brazilian, his campaign at the FC Pro Open has been challenging, with just four points earned from a possible 15. To avoid an early exit from the competition, he’ll need to secure a few crucial wins early in Match Week 8. The pressure is on for him to turn his fortunes around and keep his tournament hopes alive.
Fouma
World Ranking: 13
Team: FC Lorient
If there’s one name synonymous with esports in France, it’s the legendary Fouma. At just 22 years old, he has cemented his legacy as the most successful champion in eLigue 1 history, claiming the title four years in a row—often in spectacular fashion against tough competition.
Fouma’s knack for producing moments of brilliance has not only made him a fan favourite but also one of the most intimidating opponents in the scene. His ability to stay composed and deliver under pressure has defined his career as a relentless winner, both domestically and as a representative of the French national team.
However, last year’s FC Pro Open proved to be unfamiliar territory for Fouma, as he failed to progress past the Group Stage. Determined to return stronger, his road to this year’s tournament wasn’t without challenges.
After being knocked out of the Winner’s Bracket by FC Lorient teammate LJR Peixoto, Fouma showcased his resilience, battling through the Loser’s Bracket with crucial victories over Neat and Illian to secure his place.
Fouma will be pleased with his Match Week 4 performance, which sees him sitting in a solid second place in Group Dwith eight points. Victories over KTZN and Paulo Neto, along with an impressive draw against PHzin, have put him in a strong position as he heads into Match Week 8.
If he can maintain his attacking prowess while improving his defensive consistency, Fouma will have an excellent chance of securing qualification to the next stage of the FC Pro Open.
FC Pro Draft
The FC Pro Draft is back for Match Week 8 of the FC Pro Open, testing competitors' team-building skills as they construct squads within a strict coin budget, including a starting XI and substitutes. In addition to the budget, players face unique challenges, such as including stars from specific leagues or incorporating a required number of special items like Trailblazers or Centurions.
Visit the FC Pro Draft website to explore the squads crafted by Group D players and uncover their strategies as they prepare for Match Week 8
FC Prop Open | Match Week 8 Fixtures
Round 6 (18:10 GMT)
Paulo Neto vs PHzin
Fouma vs KTzn
AbuMakkah vs Levi de Weerd
Round 7 (18:50 GMT)
Fouma vs PHzin
AbuMakkah vs Paulo Neto
Levi de Weerd vs KTzn
Round 8 (19:30 GMT)
KTzn vs PHzin
Paulo Neto vs Levi de Weerd
Fouma vs AbuMakkah
Round 9 (20:10 GMT)
PHzin vs Levi de Weerd
KTzn vs AbuMakkah
Paulo Neto vs Fouma
Round 10 (20:50 GMT)
Levi de Weerd vs PHzin
KTzn vs AbuMakkah
Paulo Neto vs Fouma
How to Watch Match Week 6 of the FC Pro Open
Fans can watch all the action from Group D of the FC Pro Open live on Monday, 27 January, at 6:00 PM GMT, streaming on the EA SPORTS FC Pro YouTube and Twitch channels.
Match Week 8 will be rebroadcast on Tuesday, 28 January, at 2:00 AM GMT on Twitch. Stay connected with the latest highlights and key moments by following EA SPORTS FC Pro on Instagram, X, and TikTok.
Viewership and In-Game Rewards
The FC community can unlock exciting rewards just by watching Match Week 8 of the FC Pro Open! Here's how to make sure you don’t miss out:
Click HERE to find out about the rewards available for watching Match Week 8 of the FC Pro Open.
