COD BO7 at Esports World Cup 2026 preview: Who are the championship contenders?

Jon Nicholson, Freelance Writer

Last Updated: 05/08/2026

Less than three weeks after FaZe Clan denied OpTic Gaming another Call of Duty League (CDL) Championship, the two rivals now head to Paris with another major trophy on the line. 

Taking place from August 5th to 9th, the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC) will host 16 teams, though the outright market suggests the trophy is likely to go to one of only three teams. FaZe, OpTic, and 100 Thieves are separated by relatively close odds, while Falcons and Gentle Mates offer longer prices after impressive performances at Champs.

With the tournament featuring a healthy mix of established powerhouses and amateur teams, the event is poised to spring a few surprises. Before the first shots are fired, we assess the main contenders fighting for championship glory at EWC 2026.

FaZe Clan could cement its legacy

After emerging victorious at the CDL Championship, FaZe Clan has an opportunity to cement its place as one of the most dominant teams of the franchise era – but only if it can replicate its Champs success.

Priced at 6/4 (2.5), the Red Militia enter EWC 2026 as the team to beat, supported by an implied probability of 40%. Champs MVP Chris ‘Simp’ Lehr looks to add another accolade to his growing collection. Across 19 maps, the SMG slayer recorded a 1.11 K/D ratio while applying relentless map pressure and consistently creating opportunities for his team.

B2B SZN 🌍🇫🇷#FaZeUp pic.twitter.com/PbSkpVdqUs

— FaZe COD (@FaZe_Vegas) August 4, 2026

FaZe Clan begins its EWC 2026 campaign against The Pit. The all-European roster earned its place through the Last Chance Qualifier, with Scotsman Ben ‘Mythix’ McKenna already attracting widespread attention from the Call of Duty community.

However, playing against the reigning CDL champions in Group A will prove incredibly tough for The Pit. FaZe should have few problems progressing from its opening match, though 6/4 leaves little room for error in a tournament stacked with contenders capable of beating them on the right day.

Can the Green Wall defend its EWC title?

OpTic Gaming heads to Paris with unfinished business.

Despite missing out on a historic third consecutive CDL Champs title, it’s impossible to rule out OpTic Gaming as a championship contender. After falling short in three Major Grand Finals, victory at CDL Major 4 looked to be the breakthrough required to launch a challenge for the Champs trophy. 

Although the Green Wall fell short in the Champs Grand Final, there were glimpses of brilliance from the quartet of seasoned veterans. Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro displayed his supreme mechanical skill against FaZe Clan, utilising unorthodox lines of sight in a bid to gain the upper hand.

HOW?! 😲 pic.twitter.com/KSHb0QcSRP

— Call of Duty League (@CODLeague) July 20, 2026

He may have missed out on another winner’s ring, but he proved to the world how his innovative gameplay keeps him among the world’s best Call of Duty talents. At 2/1 (3.0), OpTic Gaming is the second favourite behind archrival FaZe Clan, with an implied 33.3% probability of successfully defending its EWC 2025 title.

Those odds may appeal to bettors who believe the gap between OpTic and FaZe is smaller than the Champs result suggests. The team has displayed incredible levels of consistency throughout the season, having never missed out on a Grand Final. It’s no surprise to see the Green Wall priced at 4/7 (1.57) to reach another championship match.

Can 100 Thieves bounce back?

100 Thieves has a lot to prove at EWC.

Having crashed out of Champs in joint-last place, the CDL Major 3 winner has an immediate opportunity to return to winning ways at EWC. For French phenom Paco ‘HyDra’ Rusiewiez, the event also provides another chance to play in front of a hugely passionate French crowd. 

HyDra and Tyler ‘aBeZy’ Pharris have formed a formidable slaying partnership, though neither player was able to produce his best performance at Champs. HyDra and aBeZy both ended their Champs campaign with a 0.94 K/D across nine maps as 100 Thieves suffered a surprisingly early elimination.

Despite that disappointment, this is still a championship-calibre roster.

At outright odds of 9/4 (3.25), 100 Thieves carry an implied probability of roughly 30.8% of victory. That price places them close to FaZe and OpTic, despite contrasting performances at Champs. The odds therefore ask bettors to overlook 100 Thieves’ recent form and instead back the roster’s considerable ceiling.

Feels good to be back. #EWC26 pic.twitter.com/CV1LCrCipT

— LA Thieves (@LAThieves) August 4, 2026

Team Falcons to keep flying high

Typically, a last-minute roster change does more harm than good. For Team Falcons, the decision to move Amer ‘Pred’ Zulbeari to the bench in favour of Mohammed ‘Alluka’ Bindal proved to be a stroke of absolute genius. 

Alluka made his CDL debut at Champs and looked comfortable, even under the brightest lights. He posted a 1.12 K/D during the tournament, outperforming many more experienced CDL players and providing Falcons with the slaying power required to reach an unexpected third-place finish – the team’s best LAN placement since entering the CDL in 2024.

Priced at 8/1 (9.0), Falcons have an 11.1% implied probability of taking outright victory. The team’s opening match against Project Notorious provides an excellent opportunity to build momentum before facing stronger teams in Group B.

Nothing to hang our heads about. We showed a lot of heart. Top 3 at Champs. Thank you, Vegas. See you at EWC

نختتم مشوارنا في بطولة العالم بالمركز الثالث 🥉، شكرًا لدعمكم 💚

— المحطة القادمة كأس العالم للرياضات الإلكترونية 🇫🇷🏆#RiyadhFalcons – #FalconsAreHere pic.twitter.com/3pPKHj7Q0p

— Riyadh Falcons (@Riyadh_Falcons) July 19, 2026

Hometown glory for Gentle Mates?

When the CDL touched down in Paris for Major 4, French fans turned out in huge numbers to support their beloved Gentle Mates. EWC offers another opportunity for the organisation to reach the top step of the podium in front of a home crowd bound to bring the noise once again.

Following victory at CDL Major 1, Joseph ‘JoeDeceives’ Romero replaced Travis ‘Neptune’ McCloud in June. This change added yet another aggressive presence to the roster and helped Gentle Mates secure a top-four finish at Champs following a brief downturn in form. 

At 7/1 (8.0), Gentle Mates sits outside of the three leading tournament favourites, with a 12.5% implied chance of victory. While the team’s opening match against OMiT should provide an opportunity to open strong, the hometown buff could be the inspiration behind another deep run.

Jon Nicholson, Freelance Writer

Jonno is a veteran esports journalist with over a decade of experience in covering the world of competitive gaming. Since starting in 2014, he’s covered the biggest events for outlets including Esports Insider, GGRecon, Gfinity, and Siege.GG. When he’s not writing, he can be found sim racing with varying degrees of success.

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