(Photo credit: Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Teams from 16 countries began group stage play Thursday at Overwatch World Cup 2026 in Busan, South Korea.

Round-robin play in four groups will conclude Sunday, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the single-elimination playoffs, scheduled for Sept. 12-13 in Anaheim, Calif. All matches in the group stage are best-of-three.

In Group A, Sweden swept Japan and the United States defeated China 3-1. Sweden posted wins on Nepal, Shambali Monastery and Paraiso. The U.S. won on Busan and Neon Junction. After China's win on Aatlis, the U.S. earned a win on Route 66.

In Group B, the United Kingdom swept Mexico and Saudi Arabia did the same to Australia. The UK won on Nepal, Aatlis and Eichenwalde. The Saudis were victorious on Nepal, Eichenwalde and Esperanca.

In Group C, Spain swept Thailand and Canada pulled out a 3-2 win over Germany. Spain won on Busan, New Junk City and Paraiso. Germany took a 2-1 lead by sandwiching wins on Nepal and Route 66 around a loss on Paraiso, but Canada answered with wins on New Junk City and Esperanca.

Action in Group D was set to begin later in the day, with Denmark facing Colombia and France taking on hosts South Korea.

Group standings (won-loss record, map record, differential):

Group A:

1. Sweden, 1-0, 3-0, +3

2. United States, 1-0, 3-1, +2

3. China, 0-1, 1-3, -2

4. Japan, 0-1, 0-3, -3

Group B:

T1. Saudi Arabia, 1-0, 3-0, +3

T1. United Kingdom, 1-0, 3-0, +3

T3. Australia, 0-1, 0-3, -3

T3. Mexico, 0-1, 0-3, -3

Group C:

1. Spain, 1-0, 3-0, +3

2. Canada, 1-0, 3-2, +1

3. Germany, 0-1, 2-3, -1

4. Thailand, 0-1, 0-3, -3

Group D:

France

South Korea

Denmark

Colombia

--Field Level Media