Four Must-Watch Players of EWC 2025 Week 1

EWC 2025 Players To Watch During Week 1

The Esports World Cup is where legends are made, testing the mettle of players from around the globe in the most prestigious event in esports.

Every player at EWC 2025 is an elite competitor at the peak of their game, but some stories rise above the rest and deserve to be highlighted.

From challenging, last-minute substitutions to returning champions chasing legacy-defining victories, this week is packed with can’t-miss moments. But with so much action unfolding, who should you keep your eyes on? Below, we’ve highlighted some of the players whose stories are must-follows this week.

Crystallis, Tundra Esports - Dota 2

Is it possible to quietly be the best team in a game, even as your incredible performances consistently fly under the radar? If so, Remco "Crystallis" Arets and Tundra Esports fall into that category. The organization has reached the podium in all but two of its tournament appearances this year, yet it's still often ranked below teams like Team Falcons, Team Spirit, PARIVISION, and others. Perhaps that’s just a sign of how high the level of competition has been this Dota 2 season.

This year has been a redemption arc for Crystallis. The embattled carry player was often the scapegoat for fans and analysts during his time with Team Secret. His stint on Tundra has been his answer to the critics—something he’ll look to continue at EWC 2025, where he’s poised to bring another tournament win home for Tundra Esports.

Chronicle, Fnatic - VALORANT

Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov is firmly in the GOAT conversation when it comes to VALORANT. Over a four-year span, he’s become the first player to win multiple VCT Masters titles and has lifted three international trophies: Masters Berlin in 2021, LOCK//IN São Paulo in 2023, and Masters Tokyo in 2023.

Yet despite the accolades, Chronicle has often flown under the radar, seen more as a steady hand than a spotlight-stealer, even on his current Fnatic roster. But that could be changing. With an MVP performance on just the first day of VALORANT at EWC, Chronicle has a golden opportunity to step into the spotlight and cement his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Uxako, Natus Vincere - Apex Legends

International Apex Legends can sometimes feel like a two-horse race, with the dominant forces of Falcons and Alliance taking center stage. But the close of last season saw new challengers break into the pack—namely, Jose "Uxako" Llosa and the former GoNext Esports roster. Now under the NAVI banner, this is a hungry team looking to recapture the form they showed earlier this year.

Uxako is a world champion with a résumé stacked with Kill Leader and Apex Predator honors. But his team often doesn’t find itself in position to be top fraggers. Instead, this NAVI lineup consistently puts itself in position to win—securing vital high finishes and clutch victories when Match Point is on the line.

Xiao Hai, KauiShou Gaming - Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

History could be made this week as Zeng "Xiao Hai" Zhuojun attempts to become the first player to win an Esports World Cup championship in two different games. Last year, Xiao Hai outlasted 32 competitors to claim first place in Street Fighter 6 at the Esports World Cup 2024. Now, he returns to chase a second title – this time in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.

Xiao Hai has already proven himself as one of the best Fatal Fury players in the world, with first-place finishes at both CEO 2025 and EVO Japan 2025, making him the favorite to win it all at EWC. But perhaps most incredible about this multi-time champion is that neither Fatal Fury nor SF6 is his main game – he’s widely regarded as one of the greatest King of Fighters players of all time, with more than a dozen championships in that title. Still, the tenacious veteran is looking to add more gold to his cabinet this week.

With hundreds of matches set to take place over the next few days, new legends will rise as champions are crowned and rivals are toppled. Watch the Esports World Cup 2025 live or check out the ticket options to watch in-person this week!