Riyadh Falcons has announced that it has joined forces with FaZe Clan-backed Call of Duty team Stallions to launch a co-branded Call of Duty Challengers roster.
Competing under the name FaZe Falcons, the line-up features a mix of North American and Saudi Arabian talent participating in the second tier of Call of Duty esports.
Announced on February 18th, the team will compete in the North American Challengers circuit, starting with qualifiers for the second Challengers Elite season. The top four teams from the online qualifiers, taking place from February 28th to March 1st, will earn a place in the Elite.
The Saudi Arabian pair of ‘GntL‘ and Hakem ‘KnoX‘ Al-Shaibani have quickly made an impact on the Call of Duty esports scene following the Middle East’s integration into the EMEA circuit. GntL made it to the Elite’s Stage 1 playoffs, scoring a top-eight finish under the Night Vibes banner.
Despite missing out on Stage 1, KnoX continued to demonstrate his skills in online cups. Throughout the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 season, he has placed no lower than top six in the three cups he has competed in.
Joining GntL and KnoX on the starting lineup is former London Royal Ravens and Minnesota Rokkr player Paul ‘PaulEhx‘ Avila, a player no stranger to competing on Call of Duty’s biggest stages. PaulEhx recently competed for Team Falcons White, finishing second in the Elite Stage 1 Playoffs.
Since early 2025, Swooty has represented Stallions across several online and LAN tournaments. In February, the team secured a top-24 finish at the CDC Dallas Open, taking home 3,000 Challengers Points.
The Importance of Academy Rosters
Academy teams in Call of Duty esports are often responsible for recruiting and developing the next generation of talent before they make the leap to the Call of Duty League (CDL). In recent years, the likes of Boston Breach and the New York Subliners have fielded academy rosters in the Challengers circuit.
For Stallions and FaZe Clan, the partnership with Riyadh Falcons continues to provide a platform for players looking to compete at the highest level.
