Who will win EWC 2026 CS2? Vitality, Falcons and Spirit lead the contenders

Rituraj Halder Published August 13, 2026

Expanding significantly from previous editions, this year’s Esports World Cup (EWC 2026 CS2) features an expanded 32-team format and a massive $2 million prize pool, the largest in EWC Counter-Strike history. That is why the stakes, as well as the hype for this year’s winner, are higher than ever. 

With some of the best teams in the world competing to claim the crown, predicting the one who will come on top is a colossal ask. However, looking at their recent performances as well as the trends on online betting platforms, there are some teams that definitely have the strongest claim to the title. 

Which team has the biggest chance of winning EWC 2026?

As the tournament goes on, four teams have emerged with the best chance of taking the trophy home.

Team Vitality

Despite a recent early exit at IEM Cologne, Vitality enters Paris as the strongest contender for the title.

With a moral upper hand thanks to their home-crowd advantage and led by the formidable duo of Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and Robin “ropz” Kool, alongside flameZ and mezii, Vitality has all the elements necessary to lift another trophy on home soil.

Team Falcons

Entering Paris with immense expectations, Falcons possess one of the most intimidating collections of individual talent in Counter-Strike history.

Led by legendary in-game leader Finn “karrigan” Andersen alongside superstar AWPer Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov, Nikola “NiKo” Kovač, TeSeS, and kyousuke, the reigning Major champions stand out as an unstoppable force when operating at their peak.

Team Spirit

Sitting atop the Valve Global Rankings, Spirit arrives in Paris seeking redemption following a disappointing BLAST Bounty run. Fueled by their generational rifler Danil “donk” Kryshkovets, who posted a staggering 2.27 rating in Cologne, and sniper Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov, Spirit’s unmatched entry firepower gives them the ability to dismantle any lineup in the world.

Natus Vincere (NAVI)

The inaugural 2024 EWC champions return to official competition for the first time since the Major. While facing fierce competition from Falcons and Spirit, NAVI’s disciplined tactical preparation and big-stage experience make them an ever-dangerous threat in single-elimination formats.

Who could win EWC 2026 CS2?

According to the current odds on the decentralized prediction platform Polymarket, the team with the most chance of winning is none other than Team Vitality.

Image credit: Polymarket

According to market trading data, Team Vitality holds the highest individual odds at 27 percent, closely followed by Team Falcons at 20 percent. Team Spirit sits third in at 17 percent, while Natus Vincere trails at 10 percent.

However, evaluating current form and bracket paths, Team Falcons stands out as the most compelling pick to claim the EWC 2026 CS2 crown.

While Vitality holds home-soil motivation and Spirit commands unmatched raw ratings, Falcons’ recent Major-winning peak performance, fueled by m0NESY’s tournament MVP form and karrigan’s veteran leadership, gives them the confidence needed to survive the single-elimination playoff pressure in Paris. 

If Falcons maintain their head-to-head momentum against Vitality, expect them to lift the trophy on August 23.

Related to:

Vitality

Falcons

Spirit Esports World Cup 2026 Group C Esports World Cup 2026 Group A Esports World Cup 2026 Group B