This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
London's O2 Arena will host the FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final this weekend, where 32 of the world's best esports players will compete for a $250,000 prize.
Millions of fans will watch the action online on Facebook, Twitch, Twitter, and YouTube, with commentary in multiple languages.
The tournament has come a long way since its inception in 2004, and this year's prize pool is $500,000, with players like 18-year-old Donovan Hunt, also known as 'F2Tekkz', already having amassed £200,000 in prize money.
Christian Volk, FIFA's Director of efootball and gaming, says the organization is committed to growing the sport sustainably and professionally.
"We want to build a healthy, sustainable, and professional sport," Volk said. "We have a lot of ambitions, we are here for the long run. We are just starting."
Despite the growth of esports, there is still a lack of female representation in the sport, with no female gamers competing in this year's tournament.
"The beauty of the game is it's an equal playground so we have to see and understand how we can make it more attractive for women," Volk said.
