EWC 2026 Group C: The battle for second place

PVISION (PARIVISION) and Team Spirit being seeded in the same group creates one of the most intriguing storylines of the group stage at Esports World Cup 2026. But for the other four teams in Group C, the real drama begins after the top spot is settled.

The favourites: PVISION and Team Spirit

For many, PVISION were robbed of a TI invite when they were left outside by Valve a bit over a month ago. The invites were revealed a day after PVISION had won DreamLeague Season 29. Most likely, Valve took the decision way before making the official announcement, but even so, the timing could not have been worse, and forced a Champion team to fight its way to China via regional qualifiers.

Team Spirit had to claim their TI tickets through the same qualifiers. Both passed with flying colours, but the TI invite situation alone might have determined both PVISION and Team Spirit to prove everyone wrong even more.

Team Spirit are coming to EWC as defending champions, and this year they aim to establish new records.

They can become the first back-to-back EWC Champions, and they have a shot at becoming the first team in history to claim a third Aegis of Champions at The International.

The most significant signal that Spirit are once again getting ready to peak at the right moment is the return of Miposhka as assistant coach.

How much impact a returning legend can have on a team that's been struggling to find its identity through the season remains to be seen, but it's the kind of storyline that makes every Team Spirit match at EWC and TI worth watching. Spirit and PVISION are the two most likely to fight for the top spot in Group C, which grants a direct path to the EWC 2026 playoffs. The rest of the group will be fighting for survival.

The chasers: MOUZ and Vici Gaming

MOUZ are the wildcard here. Their individual talent is undeniable, and on a good day, they can match anyone in this group. Their problem is consistency. The same issue that's plagued them for most of the season and cost them a spot at TI this year.

And then there's Vici Gaming, who, as we get to the culmination point of the season, need to prove they still belong among the elite of Chinese Dota. For both MOUZ and VG, a top-four finish in Group C to secure their presence in the survival round is well within reach.

It’s almost impossible to say the same about REKONIX and Team Nemesis.

The Underdogs

The bottom of Group C is likely to feature REKONIX and Team Nemesis, two teams with the odds stacked against them. For these two, the goal should be simple: don't finish last. The good news for both of them is that the group format is a round-robin, two-game series, and if they manage to steal a game here and there, they might create chaos and even get a second chance.

The only thing worse than being an underdog is being an underdog that doesn't even get a shot at glory, and hopefully that won’t happen in Paris.

Esports World Cup 2026 is set to kick off next week, on the 7th of July. Four groups, 24 teams chasing the same goal. Make it to the playoffs. Only the top team of each group will secure that precious playoff spot. Second to fourth-placed teams in each group will go to Survival rounds, while the bottom two teams from each group will be eliminated.

The spectacle is just about to start. So, get rdy with us and enjoy the show!