Aug 02, 2026.
Every player arrives at the Esports World Cup with a chance to define their tournament. Some are defending championship legacies, while others are looking to break through on one of esports' biggest stages. As Week 5 begins, these are five players to watch at EWC 26.
Anthony "Shotzzy" Cuevas-Castro is one of the most accomplished Call of Duty players of his generation, with championships in both Halo and Call of Duty. The cornerstone of the OpTic Gaming roster, he helped lead the team to back-to-back Call of Duty League titles and the EWC 2025 championship.
Now one of the game's veterans, Shotzzy remains the driving force behind OpTic Texas. A consistent top performer capable of taking over any series, he'll once again be central to the team's hopes of defending its title at EWC 26.
TEKKEN at the Esports World Cup has belonged to Lim "ULSAN" Soo-hoon, who claimed the championship in both 2024 and 2025. Standing in the way of a historic three-peat is fellow South Korean Yoon "LowHigh" Sun-woong, one of the game's most accomplished veterans.
After winning EVO in 2018, LowHigh spent years chasing another major title before breaking through at the TEKKEN World Tour Finals 2025. That victory secured his place at EWC 26, where the longtime Bryan specialist will look to end ULSAN's reign and add another championship to his résumé.
While China remains the dominant force in Honor of Kings, Malaysia has consistently produced world-class talent, with Tat Yann "MusangKing" Chan standing among its very best. Before joining Geekay Esports, MusangKing helped HomeBois BSE win the Honor of Kings International Championship in 2024 and 2025.
Widely regarded as one of the top Jungle players in the world, MusangKing has built a reputation for earning MVP honors at major events. With Geekay entering EWC 26 as one of the tournament favorites, expect him to play a central role in the team's championship ambitions.
If there's a case to be made for the most consistent player in Rainbow Six Siege today, Diego "Handyy" Lima belongs near the top of the list. One of South America's premier riflers, he pairs exceptional mechanical skill with the composure that has made him a fixture among the game's elite.
An international MVP, Handyy is a cornerstone of a FaZe Clan roster that enters EWC 26 as one of the tournament favorites. With championship expectations surrounding the Brazilian squad, expect Handyy to be at the center of its success.
PUBG Mobile could deliver one of EWC 26's biggest stories, and Aurora Gaming's TOP will be at the center of it. Competing under the Alpha Gaming banner last year, this roster finished third at EWC 2025 and comes to Paris aiming for an even deeper run.
TOP has been the steady force behind Aurora's success, leading a roster that has consistently contended for regional titles while delivering clutch performances on the biggest stages. With PUBG Mobile's MVP award recognizing individual excellence regardless of the tournament winner, TOP has every opportunity to emerge as one of the event's standout players if Aurora makes a deep run.
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