The 2019 Call of Duty World League Championship is upon us. The final event of the 2018/19 CWL season and possibly the last world championship using this structure will see 32 teams from across the world contest a $2M USD prize pool and the coveted championship rings that will be awarded to the victors. You can read our COD Champs 2019 group E-H predictions.
In this article, I will be previewing the first four groups of the tournament, attempting to predict which two rosters will make it into the double-elimination championship bracket.
Read More: COD Champs 2019: CWL Season So Far In The Lead Up To Call of Duty World League Championship 2019
Image courtesy of Dot Esports
Group A
Headlined by CWL Miami champions eUnited, the top of group A looks all but certain but the battle for second place is certainly up for grabs. CWL Amateur Finals winners, The UK roster “The Bhoys” will be looking to build on their recent victory with a strong performance at the biggest event of the year. Consisting of Sean “Seany” O’Connor and 2016 champs runner-up Ben “Bance” Bance, The Bhoys could have chance at overthrowing eUnited at the top of the group.
Elevate are an interesting team in this group. The Franco-American roster showed glimpses of what they are capable of towards the end of the Pro League and are definitely in contention for the second spot in this group along with RBL eSports, a team that features some new North American talents that are attending their first world championship.Read More: COD Champs 2019: Groups, Bracket & Format For Call of Duty World League Championship 2019
Image courtesy of MLG
Group B
Miami runner-s up Gen.G look to be the favourites to take first place in group B. Like in group A, the team that secures the second place is all to play for. Enigma 6 have been on the cusp of challenging the top teams all season long thanks to breakout talent Matthew “KiSMET” Tinsley performing well throughout the season.
Team WaR will also be looking to end the season with a solid champs placement after taking second in the CWL Amateur finals. Josh “Joshh” Lee-Sheppard, David “Dqvee” Davies and Adam “Peatie” Peate all came close to Pro League qualification earlier in the season and are in contention to make it out the group. Rounding out the group are the UK roster of Fuego Gaming. Captained by Dylan “Madcat” Daly, a team mixed with youth and experience with little expectations could well be the dark horse in the group.
Read More: Call of Duty World League Championship 2019: Players That Have Attended Every COD Champs Event
Image courtesy of MLG
Group C
FaZe Clan are a team that are certainly in contention for the championship after constant improvement leading up to the event. The combination of Trei “Zer0” Morris as the main Assault Rifle player while Thomas “ZooMaa” Paparatto Obaid “Asim” Asim deal the damage with the Saug SMG is a formidable combination.
Units will be focused on ending the season on a high after a disappointing season so far. Long-time duo Rhys “Rated” Price and Joe “Joee” Pinnington do have a chance to get second place if they are able to beat a strong Mazer Gaming team. Lastly in group C are Animosity eSports. Consisting of some top German talents, it will certainly be an uphill challenge to escape the group and maybe even a map win due to the level of competition coming from the other teams.
Image courtesy of Fnatic
Group D
Heading into the tournament off an impressive fourth place and a phenomenal individual effort from Dylan “Dylan” Henderson, Team Reciprocity will be favourites to top the pool while Team Envy, Sage eSports and LGND Status will be battling it out for the second spot.
Team Envy want a strong end to the season after a turbulent season filled with some good placements and roster moves. Loaned Luminosity star Pierce “Gunless” Hillman was regarded the best player in the game but has struggled to find his feet under the Envy banner. With a wealth of experience, Envy will definitely be looking to get out the group and potentially make a run into the bracket.
Sage eSports are a dark horse in the group. Finishing fourth in the Amateur finals, the team consists of young and explosive North American players that do have the potential to cause the upset against some of the more established teams. LGND Status managed to place in the top 16 in Miami and the lack of experience on the team could be the downfall for this particular team.
Image courtesy of MLG
Predictions
Group A: eUnited & The BhoysGroup B: Gen.G & Team WaRGroup C: FaZe Clan & Mazer GamingGroup D: Team Reciprocity & Team Envy
Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest COD Champs 2019 news and coverage. Tweet us your predictions!
Gamescom 2019 may reveal new information on the future of Call of Duty. Read more about Gamescom here.
Written byJon Nicholson@MrJonno_95