Minnesota United’s Ehsan Zakeri – the 20-year-old who represents MNUFC as ‘Lamps’ – is set to compete on the world’s stage this weekend in London, England at the EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series. From June 24-25, ‘Lamps’ will be among the 64 competitors seeking to earn a spot in the FIFAe World Cup 2023.

To make it to London and this weekend’s Global Series competition, ‘Lamps’ clinched his spot via gameplay in four North American Qualifiers tournaments that EA SPORTS hosted. Following his performances during those qualifiers, ‘Lamps’ finished atop the standings as the no. 1 ranked player in the North American continent for this cycle.

“I am excited to be back competing in FGS playoffs and representing Minnesota United on a global scale,” said Zakeri. “This is what we play for every year, to be the best, and I am hoping to make the Top 24 to qualify for FIFAe World Cup for a second year in a row.”

Competing in Group D, Zakeri is seeded into one of four double elimination groups consisting of 16 players each. The top six players from each group, 24 players in total, will then qualify for the FIFAe World Cup in July. Notably in his group is fellow eMLS athlete and rival, ‘NR7’, who represents St. Louis CITY SC.

‘Lamps’ and the other 63 esports athletes will be vying for their spot in the FIFAe World Cup 2023 this weekend, with the Global Series competition taking place at the state-of-the-art Esports Engine studio at the Here East campus in Stratford, London, England – a venue that is a part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which notably hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Before joining Minnesota United, ‘Lamps’, who is based out of Long Island, New York, began his competitive play in esports soccer with FIFA 20. Prior to joining MNUFC, ‘Lamps’ competed for Sporting Kansas City as their second player in eMLS and FIFAe competitions. He has notably won major tournaments in FIFA 21 and FIFA 22, all while being a student at Stony Brook University.

See below for a list of ‘Lamps’ FIFA accomplishments and finishes across the past two years:

2023

• North America FIFA 23 North America Qualifier 1 Runner Up
• North America FIFA 23 North America Qualifier 2 Winner
• North America FIFA 23 North America Qualifier 3 Runner Up
• 2023 eMLS League Series 1 Runner Up
• 2023 eMLS League Series 2 Runner Up
• 2023 eMLS Cup Top 4
• Qualified for FIFA Global Series Playoffs - Top 64 in the World
• Qualified for FIFAe Nations Series (eUSMNT Representative)
• Ranked first in 2023 North America FIFA Global Series leaderboards

2022

• North America FIFA 22 North America Qualifier 1 Winner
• North America FIFA 22 North America Qualifier 2 Third Place
• North America FIFA 22 North America Qualifier 3 Runner Up
• 2022 eMLS League Series 1 Top Eight
• 2022 eMLS League Series 2 Winner
• 2022 eMLS Cup Top Four
• Ranked second in 2022 North America FIFA Global Series leaderboards
• eUSMNT Representative
• Qualified for FIFA Global Series Playoffs, played in the Top 24 FIFA Global Series Playoffs

Qualified for FIFAe World Cup 2022 - Top 16 FIFAe World Cup