The Esports World Cup 2026 Counter-Strike 2 main event expands to 32 teams and a $2 million prize pool, making the upcoming Last Chance Qualifier in Paris the final pathway for additional qualification. Sixty-four teams, including high-profile squads such as Liquid, BC.Game, HEROIC, NRG, and 100 Thieves, will compete August 7-9 in a double-elimination LAN format with Bo3 matches across 16 initial groups of four; the top four advance. Groups were locked and publicly released within the past week, highlighting a deep field of regional standouts and organizations seeking last-minute entry. The $100,000 LCQ prize pool and Valve Tier 1 qualifier status add direct stakes, while roster stability, recent form in other circuits, and map pool comfort will influence advancement odds ahead of the August 12-23 main event in Paris.