In 2023, the fifth Overwatch World Cup competition will crown the first World Cup champion since 2019. Reigning champion United States and three-time winner South Korea will try to build on their legacy with another gold medal, but the launch of Overwatch 2 brings new competitors to the scene! Will a new champion be crowned this year? It is time to meet your competing countries and regions.

World Cup Trials and Online Qualifier Competing Countries and Regions

The program will consist of three conferences, each with two separate groups of six countries and regions. These countries and regions have been selected based on Overwatch 2 player population data. In February, competition committee applications begin. Additionally, each participating country and region will host World Cup Trials over three weekends in February (Feb. 10–12, Feb. 17–19, and Feb. 24–26). Competition committees will be responsible for organizing additional team tryouts in March and finalizing a team of seven players in April.

In addition to the 36 selected countries and regions, the 2023 Overwatch World Cup will have a wild card challenge that will award four additional spots for Teams to compete. Details around the wild card challenge will be published in February.

In June, teams will compete within their groups to earn one of 16 spots at the LAN finals, scheduled to be held in the fall of 2023. Given the current dynamics in China, and that a team from China has always performed very well, including two second place finishes in the last two Overwatch World Cups, a Team from China will receive a direct invitation to the Group Stage. There will be no World Cup Trials in China, and the Team will not compete in the Online Qualifiers. The tryouts process in China will differ from that of other countries/regions. We will share more information with players in the China region regarding that process directly.

Here is a breakdown of the 36 teams and six groups for the online qualifiers:

Americas Conference (AMER):

Europe and Middle East Conference (EMEC):

Asia-Pacific Conference (APAC):

With a team from China securing one of the 16 spots advancing to groups, this is the distribution of remaining 15 spots that teams will compete for in the online qualifiers.

Competition Committees

Each team will be represented by a competition committee that consists of the following three roles:

• General Manager: responsible for team operations and communications with Blizzard
• Coach: responsible for leading tryouts, player selection, and all competitive aspects of the team
• Social Lead: responsible for the team’s social media, content, and engagement initiatives

Think you got what it takes to lead your homeland’s competition committee? Here’s how you can get involved:

STEP 1

• Create a video that describes who you are, why you want to be a competition committee member, and what unique advantages you can bring to the space

STEP 2

• Fill out a web form (name, email, Discord, Battle.net, etc.)
• Written statements for Step 1 will be accepted here in-lieu of a video

STEP 3

• If selected, Blizzard will reach out via email or Discord with next steps

Aspiring committee members can complete the online application now. The submission widow will close Jan. 30, 2023. The selection process will be finalized from Feb. 1–10, with Blizzard selecting the committee members for each country and region. To be an eligible Committee Candidate or prospective player for the 2023 Overwatch World Cup, you must be over the age of 18 by Oct. 1, 2023.

Stay Informed

Follow Overwatch and Path to Pro on Twitter for updates. We will reveal your final competition committees and player rosters through these channels. A new website experience is also on the way! If there are any questions or concerns, you’re welcome to reach out to us.

Heroes, the stage is set, and the world is watching! Are you ready to support your homeland and become the 2023 Overwatch World Cup champions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there opportunities for countries/regions not in the above list to compete in 2023?
Countries/regions not in the list above have an opportunity to compete for 4 remaining spots through a wild card challenge that will be revealed on Feb 1, 2023 on overwatchworldcup.com

What is the format of the World Cup Trials?
A: Double-elimination, randomly seeded bracket. The winner of each World Cup Trials will earn a guaranteed spot in their country or region’s team March tryouts.

Who is allowed to apply for a competition committee position?
A: Any person with an active Battle.net account in good standing is eligible to apply for a committee position for their country or region of residence.

Where are the rules of the tournament?
A: World Cup Trials rules will be available in the sign-up portals for each respective tournament.

The competition rules for the online qualifiers, group stage, and LAN finals will be delivered directly to the final committees and players for their acknowledgement.

Onsite expectations, prizing details, match format, and other information will be communicated directly to these teams.

What documents do I need to be eligible to participate as part of a representing team?
A: Participants must provide proof of a valid passport, and in the event your passport doesn’t match the country or region you’re trying to represent, you will also need to provide to Blizzard proof of a government-issued identification from the country or region you’re trying to represent.

Participants must use a Battle.net account in your name in good standing, with residence registered to the country or region you’re trying to represent.

Eligibility to apply and represent will depend on country of residency and game account standing, so make sure your Blizzard account is up-to-date and in good standing