The group stage of the Esports World Cup 2026 Counter-Strike 2 Open Qualifier has concluded, leaving 32 teams in contention for just four places at the main event.
1win, SAW, Fluxo and Iberian Soul were among the final teams to survive their groups in Paris. They join established names including Liquid, 100 Thieves, BIG, BC.Game, HEROIC, fnatic and Virtus.pro in the knockout phase.
With the tournament now switching to single elimination, every remaining best-of-three can end a team’s EWC campaign.
Iberian Soul Survive Biggest Final-Round Scare
Iberian Soul had the most difficult route among the final qualification matches.
The Spanish roster faced 6666 and immediately came under pressure after losing Ancient 11-13. With elimination one map away, Iberian Soul responded convincingly.
They won Inferno 13-6 before completing the comeback with a 13-9 victory on Mirage, taking the series 2-1 and securing their playoff place.
The decisive series finished:
- Ancient: 6666 13-11 Iberian Soul
- Inferno: Iberian Soul 13-6 6666
- Mirage: Iberian Soul 13-9 6666
- Series: Iberian Soul 2-1 6666
Iberian Soul were the only major favorite in the final group deciders forced to recover from a map deficit before securing progression.
The remaining deciding matches were considerably more straightforward, with the expected favorites generally winning 2-0. ASTRAL and INFINITE also progressed through forfeit victories after their opponents failed to appear.
1win and SAW Keep New Projects Alive
Two of the more interesting teams reaching the playoffs are 1win and SAW.
1win entered Paris with a recently assembled roster built around nafany, Ax1Le, ArtFr0st, fame and BELCHONOKK. The team finished as runner-up in its group, keeping alive an early opportunity for the new lineup to qualify for a major international event.
SAW followed a similar route. The Portuguese team featuring MUTiRiS, NOPEEj, story, ewjerkz and krazy also finished second in its group and advanced despite still being early in its rebuilding process.
| Category | Notable playoff teams |
|---|---|
| International favorites | Liquid, BC.Game, 100 Thieves |
| Major organizations | BIG, HEROIC, fnatic, Virtus.pro |
| Rebuilt projects | 1win, SAW, Eternal Fire |
| Potential outsiders | HOTU, DENDELE, FOKUS, Inner Circle |
For both 1win and SAW, the qualifier provides valuable LAN experience even before considering the possibility of reaching the main tournament.
Liquid, BIG and BC.Game Enter Knockouts as Major Names
The completed field contains far more recognizable teams than would normally be expected from an open qualifier.
Liquid finished first in its group, while BIG, BC.Game, HEROIC and fnatic also advanced as group winners. Virtus.pro, NRG, 100 Thieves and FOKUS topped groups from the second half of the opening stage.
Other notable teams still competing include:
- Eternal Fire, Sashi and SINNERS
- EYEBALLERS, OG and 9INE
- Betclic, HOTU and Inner Circle
- Fluxo, Iberian Soul and JiJieHao
The depth of the field means recognizable teams will inevitably be eliminated before reaching the Esports World Cup.
Only four tickets are available from 32 playoff teams.
Group Stage Offered One Safety Net
The opening phase divided the original 64-team field into 16 groups of four.
That format gave competitors some protection. A team could lose a series and still recover through the lower side of its group, which is exactly how several of the eventual playoff teams survived.
That changes completely in the playoffs.
The remaining 32 teams enter a single-elimination bracket. Losing one best-of-three means immediate elimination, while winning enough consecutive series earns one of the four EWC positions.
The format creates an unusual situation for organizations accustomed to more forgiving tournament structures. There is no lower bracket, no Swiss-stage recovery and no second opportunity once the knockout rounds begin.
For teams such as Liquid, BC.Game and BIG, anything other than qualification will therefore represent a significant missed opportunity.
Outsiders Now Have a Real Chance
The open format also gives less established teams an opportunity rarely available in modern top-level Counter-Strike.
DENDELE, Inner Circle, HOTU, ASTRAL and Prestige have all reached the same knockout stage as teams containing Major champions and internationally established stars.
A favorable matchup or one exceptional series can now dramatically change a team’s tournament run.
That possibility has already been demonstrated during the group stage, where several favorites were forced into close matches against significantly lower-ranked opposition.
The playoffs amplify that unpredictability because there is no opportunity to recover from an upset.
Assessment
Reducing 64 teams to 32 has removed half the field, but the most important part of the EWC Open Qualifier is only beginning.
The group stage rewarded consistency while still offering teams a second chance. The playoff bracket removes that protection and turns every series into an elimination match.
Liquid, BIG, BC.Game, HEROIC and Virtus.pro carry greater expectations because of their experience and individual quality. 1win and SAW are trying to accelerate recently rebuilt projects, while teams such as DENDELE and HOTU have an opportunity to turn strong qualifier performances into international appearances.
With only four Esports World Cup spots available, most of the surviving teams will still leave Paris without qualification.
The final group matches established who remains in contention. The knockout bracket will now determine which four teams convert that opportunity into a place at the Esports World Cup.
