The Esports World Cup 2026 VALORANT groups are set, with defending champions Team Heretics drawn into Group D as they chase back-to-back titles when the tournament gets underway in Paris on July 2. Sixteen teams are competing for a $2 million prize pool, with the winner taking home $600,000.
Full Group Breakdown
The draw places the 16 teams across four pools, with the top two from each group advancing to a single-elimination playoff bracket beginning July 9. Group stage matches run in a GSL double-elimination format, all best-of-three, with a best-of-five grand final to close things out.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | EDward Gaming, Rex Regum Qeon, 100 Thieves, BBL Esports |
| Group B | Paper Rex, Team Vitality, Karmine Corp, NRG |
| Group C | G2 Esports, Gentle Mates, Xi Lai Gaming, Nongshim RedForce |
| Group D | Team Heretics, MIBR, Global Esports, AG.JL |
Group B Is the One to Watch
Group B is already being flagged as the group of death, and fairly so – Paper Rex, Team Vitality, Karmine Corp, and NRG means two genuinely strong rosters will be heading home before the playoffs even start. The French derby between Vitality and Karmine Corp on home turf is going to be electric, and Paper Rex arrive as form favourites after winning the London Masters Finals heading into EWC week.
Heretics’ path through Group D looks more navigable by comparison, with BenjyFishy and company facing MIBR, Global Esports, and AG.JL. That said, MIBR‘s Aspas is one of the most dangerous fraggers in the game, and knockout VALORANT has a habit of producing chaos regardless of how the bracket looks on paper.
- Read more: Fortnite Reload EWC 2026 Qualifier Results
What’s Next
Winners’ and elimination matches run through July 4–7 to lock in the eight playoff qualifiers, with the single-elimination bracket at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles kicking off July 9. All matches stream live on YouTube, Twitch, and a handful of other platforms as the tournament pushes toward its grand final and the question of whether Heretics can make history.