Six Call of Duty teams start fast at Esports World Cup

Several teams earned easy group-stage victories Wednesday as action began at the $1.8 million Call of Duty tournament for the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris. FaZe Clan, Movistar KOI, G2 Esports, Gentle Mates and 100 Thieves swept their best-of-five Upper Bracket quarterfinals while OpTic Gaming claimed a 3-1 victory to join the others in advancing to the semifinals. In Group A play, FaZe Clan opened its 3-0 win over The Pit with a 250-171 triumph on Scar before claiming wins on Gridlock and Scar. Movistar KOI sent CAR Royal Ravens into the Lower Bracket with a 3-0 victory that featured a 250-132 win on Den. G2 Esports capped its sweep of Cloud 9 with a 6-1 win on Den. Gentle Mates dispatched OMiT by claiming wins on Sake, Raid and Gridlock. In Group B quarterfinal action, OpTic Gaming and Team WaR split the first two maps before OpTic Gaming took control on Scar and Hacienda. Day 1 play concluded with 100 Thieves sweeping Boston Breach. The victors breezed to a 250-134 on Sake to trigger the rout. Group stage play continues Thursday as 16 teams try to negotiate their way through the double-elimination bracket to claim the eight spots in the playoffs that begin Saturday. All group-stage matches are best-of-5. The playoffs will be best-of-7 until the Grand Final on Sunday, which will be best-of-9. The champion will claim a $600,000 check along with 1,000 World Cup points. The four teams that go winless won't go home empty-handed. They'll receive $20,000 apiece, but only the eight teams that reach the playoffs will earn World Cup points. The winners of Thursday's four Upper Bracket Semifinals will clinch playoff berths. Thursday's schedule: Group B Upper Bracket Quarterfinals: Team Falcons vs. Project Notorious Team Heretics vs. Vancouver Surge Group A Lower Bracket Quarterfinals: The Pit vs. CAR Royal Ravens Cloud9 vs. OMiT Group B Lower Bracket Quarterfinals: Team WaR vs. Boston Breach Losers of Thursday's Group B Upper Bracket Quarterfinals Group A Upper Bracket Semifinals: FaZe Clan vs. Movistar KOI G2 Esports vs. Gentle Mates Group B Upper Bracket Semifinals: OpTic Gaming vs. 100 Thieves Winners of Thursday's Upper Bracket Quarterfinals Call of Duty BO7 Esports World Cup prize pool 1. $600,000; 1,000 World Cup points 2. $320,000; 750 points 3. $210,000; 500 points 4. $130,000; 300 points 5-8. $75,000; 200 points 9-12. $40,000 13-16. $20,000 --Field Level Media