The groups for the Esports World Cup 2026 Counter-Strike 2 main event have been confirmed, completing the setup for the 32-team tournament in Paris.
The field has been divided into four groups of eight based on the July Valve Regional Standings. Twenty-eight directly invited teams are joined by BIG, JiJieHao, 100 Thieves and K27, who secured the final four spots through the Last Chance Qualifier.
BIG and JiJieHao have both landed in Group A, while 100 Thieves enter a difficult Group C featuring Vitality and MOUZ. K27 face an equally demanding task in Group B alongside Falcons, Astralis and FaZe.
BIG and JiJieHao Share Group A
Two of the four Last Chance Qualifier teams have been placed in the same group.
BIG earned a higher seed than several directly invited teams because of their position in the July VRS, which helped create the unusual situation of two qualifier teams appearing together in Group A.
Group A contains:
- Spirit, Aurora, G2 and GamerLegion
- Luminosity, M80, BIG and JiJieHao
BIG may have survived a demanding qualifier, but their reward is a group containing Spirit, Aurora and G2, leaving little room for a slow start.
JiJieHao face an even bigger challenge after entering the tournament from much further down the rankings. Their qualifier run earned them a place on the main stage, but the level of opposition now rises sharply.
100 Thieves Draw Vitality and MOUZ
Group C could become one of the most interesting sections of the event.
Vitality and MOUZ headline the group, while FUT, B8 and PARIVISION add considerable depth. TYLOO, Lynn Vision and qualifier side 100 Thieves complete the eight-team lineup.
| Group | Leading teams | LCQ team |
|---|---|---|
| A | Spirit, Aurora, G2 | BIG, JiJieHao |
| B | Falcons, Astralis, FaZe | K27 |
| C | Vitality, MOUZ, PARIVISION | 100 Thieves |
| D | NAVI, FURIA, The MongolZ | None |
100 Thieves arrive with momentum after navigating the LCQ under Gizmy’s leadership, but Group C gives them little time to settle.
Vitality remain one of the most dangerous teams in the field, while MOUZ continue to operate near the top of the international scene. PARIVISION and B8 also ensure the group is deeper than a simple two-favorite race.
Falcons Headline a Dangerous Group B
Falcons enter Group B as the highest-seeded team in a section also containing Legacy, BetBoom, Astralis, MIBR, FaZe, Ninjas in Pyjamas and K27.
K27 are perhaps the biggest outsider among the four qualifier teams. Their LCQ run was one of the most surprising stories in Paris, but the main event immediately places them against established international organisations.
Falcons arrive with a lineup featuring karrigan, NiKo, TeSeS, m0NESY and kyousuke, while Astralis and FaZe both bring considerable LAN experience.
For K27, simply reaching the top four of the group would represent another major step.
Group D Puts NAVI, FURIA and The MongolZ Together
Group D contains no Last Chance Qualifier team, but it still offers one of the strongest combinations in the tournament.
Natus Vincere, FURIA, 9z and defending EWC champions The MongolZ are joined by magic, paiN, Wildcard and French organisation 3DMAX.
The most notable names include:
- NAVI with Aleksib, b1t and w0nderful
- FURIA led by FalleN and KSCERATO
- The MongolZ attempting to defend their EWC crown
- 3DMAX competing in front of a French crowd
The MongolZ enter with a changed lineup compared with their previous championship campaign, making their title defence another key storyline heading into the group stage.
Opening Best-of-Ones Increase Upset Potential
The group stage begins on August 12 and runs through August 16.
Each group uses a double-elimination format. The opening matches are best-of-one, while the remaining series switch to best-of-three. The top four teams from each group advance to the playoffs.
That opening best-of-one is particularly important.
Favorites can immediately find themselves in the lower bracket after one poor map, while underdogs have a realistic opportunity to create an upset without needing to win a full series.
The format places additional importance on preparation. Map vetoes, pistol rounds and early momentum can dramatically alter the route through each group.
For qualifier teams such as BIG, 100 Thieves, JiJieHao and K27, those opening matches may represent their best opportunity to catch a higher-ranked opponent before the tournament settles into longer series.
Sixteen Teams Will Reach the Playoffs
Half of the field will survive the group stage.
The top four teams from each eight-team group advance to the single-elimination playoffs, which run from August 19 to 23. The Grand Final will be held at the Accor Arena.
That creates a two-step challenge.
Teams first need to survive a double-elimination group before navigating a knockout bracket against the best performers from the other sections.
With 32 teams and only 16 playoff positions available, at least several recognised organisations are guaranteed to exit during the opening week.
Assessment
The EWC 2026 group draw has produced difficult routes for all four Last Chance Qualifier teams.
BIG appear to have the strongest chance on paper, but Spirit, Aurora and G2 make Group A anything but comfortable. 100 Thieves face Vitality and MOUZ in Group C, while K27 must deal with Falcons, Astralis and FaZe.
JiJieHao enter as the clearest underdog, although their qualifier run has already demonstrated their ability to outperform expectations.
The opening best-of-one matches add another layer of unpredictability. One strong map can reshape an entire group, giving underdogs a genuine opportunity to push established teams into early trouble.
By August 16, the 32-team field will be cut in half. For BIG, 100 Thieves and the other LCQ survivors, qualification was only the first battle.
