The group stage of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 VALORANT tournament has concluded, with the final eight teams advancing to the single-elimination playoffs in Paris. After several days of high-stakes competition, the race for the championship has entered its decisive phase, with every remaining match now a do-or-die contest.
The tournament began with 16 of the world’s top VALORANT teams divided into four double-elimination groups. The top two teams from each group secured playoff berths, setting up an exciting quarterfinal lineup featuring some of the biggest names in competitive VALORANT.
The confirmed quarterfinal matchups are:
- Team Heretics vs 100 Thieves
- FNATIC vs Paper Rex
- G2 Esports vs BBL Esports
- Sentinels vs Xi Lai Gaming
Each quarterfinal and semifinal will be played as a best-of-three series, while the grand final will be contested in a best-of-five format to crown the EWC 2026 champion.
Several pre-tournament favourites lived up to expectations by progressing comfortably through the group stage, while a few underdogs produced surprise performances to book their places in the knockout rounds. The updated format, featuring best-of-three matches throughout the group stage, has been widely praised for rewarding consistency and reducing the element of chance compared to previous editions.
The VALORANT competition forms part of the wider Esports World Cup festival being held in Paris, bringing together elite teams across multiple gaming titles. This year’s tournament boasts a prize pool of $2 million, with valuable Club Championship points also on offer.
With no second chances remaining, the pressure now shifts to the knockout stage, where every round could determine the destination of one of the biggest titles in professional VALORANT. Fans can expect intense tactical battles as the remaining contenders fight for the EWC 2026 crown.
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