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Both Team Liquid and the USA Overwatch World Cup team have distanced themselves from pro player Rupal in light of his use of a racial slur.
23-year-old Overwatch pro Rupal Zaman has been dropped from Team Liquid, and booted from any further USA OWWC team trials after typing a racial slur in Team Chat in the middle of a livestreamed game.
The Support player with over $350,000 USD in career prize winnings, was on the shortlist to represent Team USA at this year’s World Cup event. However, in the middle of a March 16, 2026 Twitch stream of the team’s trials, the player cost himself the spot.
We won’t repeat the message here, but an anti-Black racial slur was dropped into the team chat during the stream. This message has led to Rupal’s removal from the team trials, along with his long-term pro squad under Team Liquid.
Overwatch pro Rupal dropped from Team Liquid and USA OWWC team
After the incident, the USA World Cup team sent out a statement, addressing how Rupal is “no longer being considered for the 2026 roster.
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for this type of behavior. Unity and equality are core principles of our team, and we are committed to upholding those values.”
Team Liquid co-CEO Steven Arhancet followed up moments later, announcing Rupal had been released from their professional Overwatch lineup as well.
“One of our Overwatch players used an anti-Black racial slur in the chat during a scrim. I want to be unequivocal in condemning the language he used. There is no place for it in our game, in our community, or in this organization.
“We also recognize that Rupal is a leader in NA’s Overwatch scene, but he is also a young person who made a serious mistake in a very public way. We hope this becomes a moment of genuine reflection and growth for him. Not the end of his story, but a turning point in it. We wish him well.”
Rupal started his professional career in 2020. After a few years in the lower circuits, he made his Overwatch League debut in 2022 as part of Florida Mayhem where he would later win a world championship. He then had a stint with Toronto Defiant, and was on Team Liquid for over a year, until this incident.
“No excuses from me,” Rupal said on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after. “ I was raised in a Bengali household in America. I myself have experienced racism not only in America but in other countries as well. Therefore, I should know that using such offensive language is terrible and not something that should be said so casually.
Labelling it a “horrendous mistake,” Rupal announced a break from competitive Overwatch and streaming. “I don’t consider myself a hateful person. Sorry to all who supported me.”
