Week 5 Group Stage and Playoffs Recap: Honorable Mentions and Standouts

The 2025 Esports World Cup kept the excitement going in Week 5 with intense competition across TEKKEN 8, Rainbow Six Siege X, and Call of Duty: Warzone. Highlights included a ruthless final run in TEKKEN 8, an impressive quarterfinal performance in Rainbow Six Siege X, and nail-biting rounds featuring an underdog team in Call of Duty: Warzone.

Here are the standout moments from this week’s esports action.

TEKKEN 8 at EWC 25 LCQ

Numan Ch dominates grand finals with ruthless counter hits

TEKKEN 8 at EWC 25 features a $1,000,000 prize pool and a coveted place in fighting game history. Throughout the LCQ, Nauman “Numan Ch” Chaudhry of Team Falcons rose to the top, defeating opponent after opponent. This momentum carried him into a grand final showdown against EVO and TEKKEN World Tour champion Son “Qudans” Byeong-mun. In a Paul versus Devil Jin match, Numan Ch landed consistent counter hits and applied pressure to stay in control despite Qudans maintaining his offense.

In the end, Numan Ch swept Qudans 3-0 to claim the LCQ title and secure a spot in next weekend’s main TEKKEN 8 event.

Rainbow Six Siege X at EWC 25 Quarterfinals

FURIA crushes Virtus.pro with great positioning

FURIA defeated Virtus.pro in the quarterfinals of Rainbow Six Siege X at EWC 25. Diego “Kheyze” Zanello led with multiple kills, while João “JV92” Vitor made aggressive rappels down the skylight, coordinating with the team to secure entry picks and dismantle their foes. FURIA gained the high ground and avoided early danger, which allowed them to set up utility. Despite big kills from Artur “ShepparD” Ipatov, Virtus.pro couldn’t regain momentum.

The match ended 2-0 in favor of FURIA, pushing them into the semifinals against G2 Esports.

Call of Duty: Warzone at EWC 25 Last Chance

Inner Circle leaves mark at first LAN together

Inner Circle made a strong showing in Call of Duty: Warzone at EWC 25. In the final moments, Jordan “Teenie” Czarnoch stayed alive in the water under intense pressure, landing pistol shots on foes. Meanwhile, awbz and Bray worked well together, with awbz allowing Bray to take the sniper rifle. In another engagement, Teenie and Bray showed strong restraint and teamwork. They smoked out and backed down, proving moments like these can turn the tide.

Although Inner Circle didn’t advance, falling short by just a single kill, the team impressed the world with their first-ever LAN together. They can only go up from here.

FC Pro 25 World Championship at Esports World Cup 2025 Group Stage

Aymane "Fakhr999" Ouardi earns his sweet revenge

It may not have been a tournament title, but that didn’t make it feel any less sweet. Aymane “Fakhr999” Ouardi found himself on the wrong end of a 10-2 beating in his opening group stage match against world-renowned player Anders Vejrgang. After Vejrgang lost his next match, the two faced off in a high-stakes rematch that would send one player home. Fakhr999 dug deep and pulled out a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

With hundreds of matches taking place over the next week, 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 the games in person!