Overwatch World Cup 2023: Schedule, qualified teams & groups
BlizzardThe Overwatch World Cup is back for 2023, and here’s all you need to know about the schedule, qualified teams, and how to watch the group stage.
It has been three long years since we have seen the last Overwatch World Cup in 2019, and it is finally back. A lot has changed between 2019 and now, with former champions and competitors retired, a huge meta shift with the release of Overwatch 2, and new faces ready to take the trophy.
The tournament is traditionally held at BlizzCon, a gaming convention held by Blizzard, in Anaheim, California, at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Here are all the details you need to know about the Overwatch World Cup this time around, including the schedule, group stages, and where to watch online.
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BlizzardOverwatch World Cup 2023: Where to watch
In previous years, the Overwatch World Cup has been streamed on the official Overwatch Twitch channel, but since Overwatch League’s broadcast deal with YouTube, it is now available to stream on both YouTube and Twitch.
Additionally, Blizzard has allowed more co-streaming rights than in previous years, so chances are your favorite Overwatch streamer will be co-streaming the matches.
We will embed the broadcast here for your convenience when group stage action gets underway.
Overwatch World Cup 2023: Schedule & Format
Before the main playoff event, there were two programs to determine who gets to play on LAN. There were World Cup Trials to determine what team will represent their country. And then the online qualifier, where countries went head to head in their groups to determine who made it to the LAN Finals.
In February, the applications for each selected country’s competition committee began. The committee consists of three roles. The General Manager, who is responsible for team operations and communication with Blizzard, the Coach, who is responsible for the tryouts, player selection, and competitive aspects of the team, and the Social Lead, who is responsible for the team’s social media and content relating to it.
Robert Paul/BlizzardRight after the applications, Trials commenced in each country over three weekends. The dates were: February 10 – 12, February 17-19, and February 24-26.
Once the committee had been appointed, they were then responsible for organizing any additional tryouts in March and finalizing a team of seven players in April.
In June, all 36 selected countries played in an online qualifier group stage to earn one of 15 spots in the LAN finals.
And now that the qualifiers are done, the group stages will start on October 29 with the World Cup ending on November 4.
Overwatch World Cup 2023: LAN Group Stage
There will be a total of 16 teams participating in the LAN Group Stage. 15 from the Online Qualifier and one spot for a Chinese team.
Due to the shutdown of Overwatch’s servers in China, and that the country has historically performed well at the World Cups, they have been given a spot in the Group Stage directly.
Group A
| Placement | Team | Record |
| – | South Korea | – |
| – | Colombia | – |
| – | Mexico | – |
| – | Finland | – |
Group B
| Placement | Team | Record |
| – | Australia | – |
| – | Brazil | – |
| – | United Kingdom | – |
| – | Canada | – |
Group C
| Placement | Team | Record |
| – | China | – |
| – | Hong Kong | – |
| – | Spain | – |
| – | Thailand | – |
Group D
| Placement | Team | Record |
| – | France | – |
| – | United States | – |
| – | Japan | – |
| – | Saudi Arabia | – |
Overwatch World Cup 2023: Teams & Players
The Overwatch World Cup trials and qualifiers have wrapped up, with rosters finalized across the board.
The Trials saw some interesting pickups for some rosters. Team USA decided to bring Matthew “super” DeLisi out of retirement, as he is now the only original member of the last OWWC winning roster.
And Team South Korea decided to sign what is essentially 2022’s OWL Champions in the Dallas Fuel, with LIP included. And unfortunately for xQc fans, he won’t be making an appearance for Team Canada.
Additionally, due to the shutdown of Blizzard’s servers in China, they have been given a slot to the main event.
So here are all of the teams that have made it to the Main Event, sorted by region:
| Country | Region | Players |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Asia-Pacific | QIN, naahmie, Nanda, cuFFa, Punk, Bertlog, Ackyyy |
| South Korea | Asia-Pacific | LIP, Sp9rkle, Hanbin, Fearless, Fielder, ChiYo, FiNN |
| Japan | Asia-Pacific | Nico, Qki, Mihawk, KSG, Plankton, mint, Qloud |
| Hong Kong | Asia-Pacific | Despair, Kurumi, XIAOLIAN, R3K, AmCrazy, ManGoJai, IRP |
| Thailand | Asia-Pacific | HyVision, Ace, KallBun, Rodtunglnw, mush2oom, PaLee, oPuTo |
| China | Asia-Pacific | Shy, leave, guxue, Twenty, Mmonk, lengsa, Faraway1987 |
| United States | Americas | Hydron, Sugarfree, Danteh, Coluge, super, Rupal, Ultraviolet |
| Canada | Americas | Seeker, Noxious, Astronexz, False, MagicM8Ball, Crimzo, cal |
| Mexico | Americas | Chobilux, Angelvolado, hysteria, Castled, Sopa, Paolette, Momo |
| Colombia | Americas | dr0mr, Eqo, Eternal, SuperGomez, HappyAlonso, Mixvi, Hug |
| Brazil | Americas | Ludwig, Svenko, TheSeriusGui, Dalca, neil, Nyohl, xfel |
| United Kingdom | EU & Middle East | Backbone, WMaimone, Kai, JkAru19, Smex, Kronus, FunnyAstro |
| Spain | EU & Middle East | Punk, Loren, CrazyDragon, Helv, heaveNN, Galaa, Khanail |
| France | EU & Middle East | Avo, NiCOgdh, Pak, BenBest, Poko, FDGod, reviewz |
| Saudi Arabia | EU & Middle East | Youbi, Quartz, YZNSA, KSAA, Haku, SirMajed, One |
| Finland | EU & Middle East | Sauna, Clowd, Lhcloudy, Vestola, Mickji, Olli, Masaa |
Overwatch World Cup 2023: Skins and cosmetics
Starting on 7 February, players can earn an exclusive charm celebrating the start of the Overwatch World Cup 2023. All players will have to do to obtain it is log in and play a game.
BlizzardAdditionally, the Overwatch devs revealed that for the first time, the Overwatch World Cup skins which have been released for this year’s tournament will fund team operations cost and the prize pool for the main event.
And with the announcement of the crowdfunding skins, the devs also revealed the incoming legendary skin to celebrate the World Cup, Ocean Goddess Sojourn, which will be available to purchase when we’re closer to the main event.
As for the prize pool, the total prize pool will be announced on the day of the Grand Finals. So if you want to support your country’s team, you can purchase the OWWC skin from the hero gallery.