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The Esports World Cup 2026 Valorant draw is in. Four groups, 16 teams, and a $2,000,000 prize pool: the group stage kicks off July 2 in Riyadh.
The EWC 2026 Valorant groups are officially set, and the draw delivered exactly what fans wanted: a stacked $2M tournament with the world's best teams colliding from July 2 to 12. Four groups, 16 teams, zero easy paths.
Here's your full breakdown of every group, plus our picks for the favorites heading into Riyadh.
Group stage: July 2–7 | Playoffs: July 9–12 | Prize pool: $2,000,000
The format is clean and ruthless: top 2 from each group advance to a single-elimination bracket. One bad week and you're on a plane home early.
Esports World Cup 2026 — Valorant
Teams: EDward Gaming · Rex Regum Qeon · 100 Thieves · BBL Esports
EDG are the clear favorites in Group A. The Chinese juggernauts have been a constant top-4 presence in international play, and they'll be expected to cruise into the playoffs.
Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ) bring Pacific firepower and shouldn't be slept on — they've pulled upsets at bigger stages. 100 Thieves represent the NA hope here, a team that can hang with anyone on a good day. BBL round out the group as the EMEA wildcard.
Predicted to advance: EDward Gaming + RRQ or 100T
Teams: Paper Rex · Team Vitality · Karmine Corp · NRG
This is the group that will end careers early. Paper Rex, the Pacific powerhouse known for their aggressive IGL-driven playstyle, vs. NRG, one of NA's strongest squads, vs. not one but two EMEA giants in Vitality and Karmine Corp.
Someone massively talented is going home in groups. PRX and NRG are the co-favorites to advance, but Vitality and KC will have something to say about it. This is appointment viewing.
Predicted to advance: Paper Rex + NRG (but genuinely a coin flip)
Teams: G2 Esports · Gentle Mates · Xi Lai Gaming · Nongshim RedForce
G2 Esports are the reigning VCT Americas Stage 1 2026 champions and the heavy favorites to top this group. After their dominant run through the Americas split, they come in with serious momentum and a roster that's firing on all cylinders.
Gentle Mates are the spicy EMEA pick here — a team capable of causing problems for anyone. Xi Lai Gaming and Nongshim will need to bring an upset performance to crack the top 2.
Predicted to advance: G2 Esports + Gentle Mates
Teams: Team Heretics · MIBR · Global Esports · All Gamers
Team Heretics come into EWC as one of EMEA's hottest teams and the clear Group D favorites. MIBR represent LATAM/Brazil with a roster that always shows up on the big stage — never count them out when the stakes are high.
Global Esports and All Gamers are the underdog picks. If either team is going to pull a shock result, this is the group where it happens.
Predicted to advance: Team Heretics + MIBR
With the full bracket picture in view, three teams stand out:
The Group of Death in B means at least one world-class team exits early. Whoever survives that group will be battle-hardened and a legitimate contender.
Keep an eye on Team Heretics as a dark horse — if they top Group D cleanly, they'll have the momentum to threaten anyone in the bracket.
Want to test your own competitive edge? Join Valorant ladders and tournaments on Amber.gg and compete for real prizes.
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