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