Following a grueling 64-team LAN qualifier for the remaining spots, all eyes are on the highly anticipated Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) tournament at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Paris.
Thirty-two of the top teams worldwide have secured their spots in the main event’s Group Stage, where they will vie for 16 playoff berths and a shot at claiming the majority of a $2 million prize pool.
With numerous powerhouse teams participating, it’s likely that CS2 betting sites will offer a wide range of markets for fans eager to test their knowledge. As the teams hit the server, we’ve examined the rosters with the best chances of walking away from Paris with a substantial payout.
Team Falcons Poised for Success Once Again
Entering the tournament as the reigning IEM Cologne Major champions, Team Falcons have finally cracked the code for success at Tier 1 events.
The addition of Finn ‘Karrigan’ Andersen as the in-game leader has helped address the team’s T-side issues, turning them into a squad less likely to falter under pressure.
After missing out on Major victories 16 times, Nikola ‘NiKo’ Kovač has emerged as one of the premier riflers globally. His 1.43 rating in the Cologne Major Grand Final was the cherry on top for the Bosnian, who now has a chance to build on his success after breaking his Major curse on his 17th attempt.
At 3/1 (4.0), Team Falcons hold a 25% implied probability of adding another Tier 1 trophy to their collection. Despite being the third favorite for overall victory, Falcons are a team that should not be underestimated.
فالكونز في باريـس، والبداية من بكرا! 🇫🇷🔜
وكل يوميـن، مقطع جـديد على إحدى قنوات صـناع محتوى فالكونز pic.twitter.com/osYNUiK1Ie
— Team Falcons (@TeamFalconsGG) August 9, 2026
Can Team Vitality Regain Dominance?
Since transitioning from Global Offensive to CS2, Team Vitality have been a dominant force in the Tier 1 scene, securing five consecutive wins between February and May.
Despite appearing unbeatable on multiple occasions, their unexpected exit from BLAST Bounty Season 2 with a 17th–32nd finish was a major setback. This came after finishing 5th–8th at the IEM Cologne Major and 5th–6th at IEM Atlanta, signaling a noticeable decline from their early-season dominance.
Despite the surprising elimination, bookmakers still believe Team Vitality has what it takes to hoist the EWC trophy on home turf. With odds of 9/4 (3.25), there is a 30.8% implied probability that CS2’s juggernaut will reclaim the top spot in the hierarchy once again.
Les joueurs préférés de tes joueurs préférés sont là ! ✨ pic.twitter.com/ht4OxpbG59
— Team Vitality 🐝 (@TeamVitality) August 11, 2026
Never Count Out FaZe Clan’s Magic
The failure to qualify for IEM Cologne was a major disappointment for FaZe Clan, especially after finishing in 2nd place at the Budapest Major.
Since Karrigan joined Team Falcons and Helvjis ‘Broky’ Saukants moved to the bench, the Red Militia is starting to rediscover its legendary magic. Alongside their Tier 1 appearances, FaZe have opted for more Tier 2 competitions in an effort to climb the global Valve Regional Standings.
Since late May, the team has placed no lower than fourth in their LAN appearances, recently reaching the semifinals of BLAST Bounty. En route to the final four, FaZe defeated The MongolZ 2–1, with loanee Jason ‘JBOEN’ Boe Nielsen boasting an impressive 1.16 rating.
JBOEN remains in the lineup for EWC, and at 18/1 (19.0), FaZe could be a great value for those seeking an underdog to lift the trophy. In addition to a 5.3% implied probability of winning, FaZe is also priced at 11/1 (12.0) to reach the final.
Which Team Will Claim Victory at CS2, Esports World Cup 2026?
Considering Team Vitality’s recent form and the absence of a clear dominant team in the latter half of 2026, predicting the team that will emerge victorious in Paris is extremely challenging.
While Team Vitality currently leads as the bookies’ favorite for overall victory, our pick for triumph at EWC 2026 is Team Falcons. Cologne marked a significant breakthrough for a team that has finally unified all its individual talents into a single powerhouse capable of establishing its own era.
The subsequent upset at BLAST Bounty showed that they are far from invincible, but their Major performance remains the strongest evidence of the high potential of this roster.