EWC 2026 Week 2 recap with Dplus KIA, Team Vitality, Falcons, LYON and Natus Vincere

Falcons struggling, Team Vitality and All Gamers leading the way, and Natus Vincere emerging as the surprise contender. The second week of the 2026 Esports World Cup came to a close on Sunday, July 19, with several unexpected results. Among the biggest surprises was Dplus KIA, the LCK's third seed, claiming the League of Legends title after defeating Karmine Corp in the Grand Final, while tournament favorites T1 and Gen.G were both eliminated in the semifinals.

Riot Games' MOBA shared the spotlight this week with Dota 2, the historic title that largely inspired League of Legends, as well as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, making it a week almost entirely dedicated to the genre. Yet it was LoL that ultimately delivered the freshest storyline, with a surprise Grand Final between two unexpected teams: Karmine Corp, the West's only remaining representative in the playoffs, and Dplus, South Korea's third seed.

Ironically, League of Legends was also probably the tournament that had the smallest impact on the Club Championship standings. Neither finalist is realistically in contention for the overall title, while Gen.G appears to be the only organization with a real shot at finishing in the Top 10 thanks to its nine participating rosters. After winning the third-place match, the reigning 2025 champion leaves with just 500 points, while T1, despite entering seven competitions, has to settle for 300 points. All Gamers, through its Anyone's Legend roster, earned 200 points, but every point already matters at this stage of the Esports World Cup.

After winning the Dota 2 tournament in 2025, Team Spirit failed to repeat that success in Paris this year, falling to Team Yandex in the playoff quarterfinals. It was another disappointing result in a season where the iconic Russian organization, long associated with Valve titles, has struggled to find success.

The biggest disappointment, however, was Team Falcons. The Club Championship favorites entered the Esports World Cup with 22 participating rosters and as the reigning The International champions, Dota 2's equivalent of the LoL Worlds. Their run also ended in the quarterfinals after a defeat to China's Vici Gaming. As a result, while the additional 200 points keep Falcons on track to remain eligible for the overall Club Championship title, the Saudi organization still has yet to secure a single Top 4 finish at this year's Esports World Cup.

Also competing in Dota 2, Team Liquid (10 participations), Virtus.Pro (13 participations), and Aurora (11 participations), all considered strong contenders for a high overall finish at EWC 2026, also failed to earn any points. Two of those organizations had collected 200 points in 2025, while Falcons reached the Grand Final and earned 750 points. Dota 2 ultimately proved less decisive than expected for several top contenders, while others managed to deliver elsewhere, or came close.

Now sitting in second place after the first seven tournaments, Team Vitality, alongside AG.AL International, is one of the few favorites largely staying on course in its Club Championship campaign. After winning the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women's Invitational in 2025, the Indonesian roster successfully defended its title, defeating NAVI in the Grand Final. The Ukrainian organization, meanwhile, tops the Week 2 standings after adding 750 points to the 1,000 it earned during Week 1 in Fatal Fury.

That gives the Bees another 1,000 points, while Team Falcons, despite fielding two rosters, collected only 200 points after both lineups were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Twisted Minds, Virtus.Pro, Aurora, Gen.G, and Geekay also left the Moonton MOBA empty-handed. With this victory, Team Vitality also became the second club, alongside NAVI, to secure eligibility for the Club Championship title by winning at least one tournament and recording a Top 8 finish in another game.

The story was far less successful for Team Vitality in Free Fire. The French organization was eliminated before the Grand Final in Garena's battle royale title after finishing third in 2025 and earning 500 points. The disappointment was made even worse by points gained by several of its closest rivals: Team Falcons claimed 150 points with a sixth-place finish, Twisted Minds earned 300 points, and Chinese organization All Gamers secured second place to take home 750 points.

It's worth noting LYON's victory in the Battle Royale, a first for a club that includes players who are not Brazilian or from the SEA region.

3. AG.AL International - 1,100 points

4. 100 Thieves - 1,000 points

4. Dplus - 1,000 points

4. UNLIMIT - 1,000 points

4. LYON - 1,000 points

4. PARIVISION - 1,000 points

9. BetBoom Team - 750 points

9. Karmine Corp - 750 points

9. NRG - 750 points

9. Team Vision - 750 points

9. Virtus.pro - 750 points

14. Team Falcons - 600 points