A well-known Overwatch professional has been removed from Team Liquid and excluded from further trials for the USA World Cup team after typing a offensive slur during a livestreamed match on 16 March. Rupal Zaman, a 23-year-old Support player with over $350,000 USD in competitive earnings, entered an anti-Black racial slur into team chat during a Twitch broadcast of the squad’s trials. The incident immediately derailed his prospects of playing for Team USA at this year’s World Cup event. Both Team Liquid and the USA Overwatch World Cup team have since made public statements condemning the language, with the organisation maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for such conduct and stressing their focus on unity and equality within the esports community.
This Incident and Swift Aftermath
The incident unfolded during a livestreamed scrim on 16 March 2026, when Zaman typed the inappropriate remarks into team chat whilst viewers watched across Twitch. The widespread visibility of the transgression amplified the severity of the situation, transforming what might have remained a internal issue into a widely witnessed breach of community standards. Within hours, both organisations had moved swiftly to distance themselves from the player, signalling their resolve to upholding the values they publicly champion.
The USA Overwatch World Cup team released a official statement underscoring their zero-tolerance approach to such conduct. “Unity and equality are central pillars of our team, and we are resolved to preserving those values,” the organisation stated. Team Liquid co-CEO Steven Arhancet subsequently revealed Zaman’s instant removal from the professional roster, whilst noting the player’s position within North America’s Overwatch scene and indicating the belief that the incident might catalyse genuine reflection and individual development.
- Offensive language posted in public throughout livestreamed professional match
- USA OWWC team removed Zaman from 2026 squad selection
- Team Liquid dropped the player off professional Overwatch roster
- Both organizations maintain strict no-tolerance policies for discriminatory language
Organisational Response and Zero-Tolerance Policy
Team Liquid Statement
Team Liquid co-CEO Steven Arhancet promptly delivered a thorough response to the incident, making clear that the organisation would not tolerate discriminatory behaviour from anyone of its team. In his remarks, Arhancet was unambiguous in his criticism, stating: “There is no room for it in our game, in our community, or in this organisation.” The severity of his language underscored the gravity with which Team Liquid regarded the transgression, indicating that such actions represented a essential violation of the values the club champions.
However, Arhancet’s response also showed a level of sophistication, acknowledging Zaman’s status as a respected figure in North America’s Overwatch competitive scene whilst also acknowledging his youth. The co-CEO conveyed optimism that the situation might act as a impetus for genuine reflection and individual growth rather than a permanent career-ending event. “We hope this becomes a moment of genuine reflection and development for him,” Arhancet wrote. “Not the end of his story, but a pivotal moment in it. We wish him well.” This balanced response balanced responsibility with the potential of redemption.
United States World Cup Team Action
The USA Overwatch World Cup team responded with equal decisiveness, immediately removing Zaman from consideration for the 2026 roster. In their official statement, the organisation reiterated its steadfast dedication to upholding standards of behaviour appropriate to international competition. “We uphold a strict no-tolerance approach for this type of behaviour,” the team stated, stressing that unity and equality represented core organisational principles. The prompt decision highlighted the seriousness with which the World Cup team regarded discriminatory language within its competitive setting.
By excluding Zaman from the trials completely, the USA OWWC team communicated a strong signal to its player base and the broader esports community that such conduct would lead to swift and serious consequences. The decision effectively ended Zaman’s opportunity to represent his country on the global platform, at least for the next series of tournaments. This firm stance reflected a larger trend within professional esports towards establishing more rigorous codes of conduct and establishing more equitable competitive environments that reject discriminatory behaviour in all its forms.
Career Progression and Standing
| Year | Career Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Began professional Overwatch career |
| 2022 | Made Overwatch League debut with Florida Mayhem |
| 2022 | Won world championship with Florida Mayhem |
| 2023-2024 | Competed for Toronto Defiant |
| 2024-2026 | Signed with Team Liquid until March 2026 incident |
Prior to the March 2026 incident, Zaman had made a name as a prominent presence within North America’s competitive Overwatch scene. The 23-year-old support specialist had gathered over $350,000 USD in competitive prize money and had progressed from lower competitive circuits to the pro circuit. His progression included a remarkable world championship victory with Florida Mayhem in 2022, which had established his status as a accomplished and capable competitor. His selection for consideration on the USA World Cup roster showcased the considerable esteem in which he was held within the professional community.
Player’s Response and Way Forward
In the immediate aftermath of his departure from both Team Liquid and the USA World Cup trials, Zaman issued a statement addressing the weight of his actions. He reflected on his Bengali-American upbringing and his own encounters with racism across multiple countries, acknowledging the paradox underlying his behaviour. “No excuses from me,” he began, demonstrating an apparent willingness to take responsibility for the abusive words he had employed during the livestreamed match. His admission of personal experience with discrimination suggested a moment of reflection concerning the damage done by his words.
The player’s remarks suggested a wish to leave behind the matter, though his near-term prospects in Overwatch esports stayed in doubt. Team Liquid’s co-CEO Steven Arhancet had voiced optimism that the circumstances would become “a turning point” rather than the permanent conclusion of Zaman’s career, indicating viable avenues for restoration. However, such rehabilitation would likely require sustained demonstration of reformed conduct and genuine commitment to the values of equal treatment and respect that the competitive gaming world progressively requires from its professional athletes.
- Zaman confirmed his behaviour without deflecting blame or making excuses
- He cited his own experiences with racial discrimination to underscore the contradiction in his actions
- Team Liquid suggested the possibility of eventual redemption via reflection and authentic growth
