On the eve of the first game day of the Esports World Cup 2025 in Counter-Strike 2, players from Falcons , kyxsan and NiKo shared their predictions for the top 8 teams of the tournament. This prestigious event, starting today, August 20, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has gathered 16 teams competing for a prize pool of $1,250,000.

The tournament will run until August 24 at Boulevard Riyadh City, promising intense matches and spectacular moments.

Experts' Predictions
According to kyxsan and NiKo , the top 8 will include:

Team Vitality
Spirit
The MongolZ
Mouz
FaZe Clan
Astralis
3DMAX
G2

These teams are considered favorites due to their stability and experience on the international stage. Team Vitality , for instance, has shown consistency in recent tournaments, while Spirit , with their aggressive playstyle, is always a dangerous opponent.

Mouz and G2 Esports are known for their tactical flexibility, whereas FaZe Clan and 3DMAX can surprise with their individual performances. The MongolZ , with their experience, should not be underestimated either.

However, it's worth noting that the players did not mention Team Falcons , hinting at their potential underperformance despite being one of the regional leaders.

Format and Prizes
The tournament will be held in an offline format with a Single-Elimination bracket, and all matches will be played in a Bo3 format. The prize pool of $1,250,000 is distributed as follows:

1st place: $500,000, 1,000 club points
2nd place: $230,000, 750 club points
3rd place: $130,000, 500 club points
4th place: $70,000, 300 club points
5th-8th places: $40,000 each, 200 club points each
9th-16th places: $20,000 each, no club points

Atmosphere and Expectations
The Esports World Cup 2025 promises to be one of the most anticipated events of the year, bringing together the world's top teams such as G2, Astralis , Falcons , Spirit , The MongolZ , Aurora Gaming , and NAVI. The tournament will take place at Boulevard Riyadh City, where fans can enjoy the atmosphere of a true sports celebration.

The matches are expected to be intense, with every mistake potentially costing victory. Fans are eagerly awaiting performances from the favorites, as well as potential surprises from the underdogs.