Esports World Cup 2026 begins for Group B with a match between Ninjas in Pyjamas and Legacy. The teams will meet in the Opening Round in a Bo1 format: the winner will advance to the Upper semi-finals, while the losing team will drop to Lower Round 1. Legacy approach the match as the favorite thanks to a higher position in the world ranking and stronger statistics on several maps, but Ninjas in Pyjamas have a dangerous Nuke and already know how to beat the Brazilian roster.
ESPORTS WORLD CUP 2026 GROUP B — FORMAT SPECIFICS
The group stage of Esports World Cup 2026 is played in a Double Elimination format. The Opening Round of the upper bracket is played as Bo1, while the following group matches are played as Bo3. The winners of the opening matches advance to the Upper semi-finals, while the losing teams get a second chance in Lower Round 1.
It is the Bo1 format that can significantly reduce the gap between the teams. Legacy have the ranking advantage and look stronger on Mirage and Inferno, but Ninjas in Pyjamas can try to move the match to Nuke or Ancient, where their chances look much better.
HEAD-TO-HEAD — LEGACY LEAD IN HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHES
The teams already met in 2026 at ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 1. The series was extremely competitive: Legacy won Overpass 13:9, Ninjas in Pyjamas responded with a 13:11 victory on Nuke, after which the Brazilian roster took Ancient in overtime — 16:13.
As a result, Legacy lead 2:1 in maps won, but the previous matchup showed that there is no big difference between the teams. NiP’s victory on Nuke may be especially important for the new match, as this map remains one of the strongest for the European roster.
CURRENT FORM
Ninjas in Pyjamas — instability before the tournament start
Ninjas in Pyjamas approach Esports World Cup with mixed results. The team defeated HEROIC 2:1, Echo 2:0, and 100 Thieves 2:1, but in recent matches lost to magic 0:2 and paiN 0:2. This leaves questions about NiP’s stability ahead of an important Bo1.
The best individual numbers belong to stavn, who has a 1.14 rating over the last three months. He records 0.76 kills per round, has 73.7% KAST, and 77.7 ADR. Together with Snappi, sjuush, xKacpersky, and n0te, he forms an experienced roster capable of creating problems for Legacy if the right map is chosen.
Legacy — a strong latto and ranking advantage
Legacy are ranked 12th in the world ranking and are ahead of Ninjas in Pyjamas, who are in 27th position. The Brazilians’ recent results are unstable: the team defeated PARIVISION 2:0 and TYLOO 2:0, but lost to G2, Natus Vincere, and MOUZ with 0:2 scores.
The main individual threat remains latto, who has a 1.25 rating over the last three months. He shows 0.80 kills per round, 75.5% KAST, and 82.7 ADR, surpassing stavn in most key indicators. dumau, n1ssim, arT, and saadz1n will also play a significant role.
MAP POOL & VETO
Statistics over the last 3 months (Ninjas in Pyjamas | Legacy):
- Cache: — | —
- Dust2: — | 67%
- Mirage: 44% | 86%
- Inferno: 60% | 78%
- Nuke: 79% | 57%
- Ancient: 47% | 29%
- Anubis: 40% | —
Expected veto:
- Ninjas in Pyjamas will logically avoid Mirage. Legacy have won 86% of their matches on this map over the last three months, while NiP have only 44%, so leaving it in a Bo1 would be too risky.
- Legacy, in turn, should pay special attention to Nuke. NiP have won 79% of their matches on this map across 14 played games, and in the previous head-to-head matchup, it was on Nuke that the Europeans defeated Legacy 13:11.
Likely map:
- Inferno looks like one of the possible compromise options. Ninjas in Pyjamas have a 60% win rate here, while Legacy have 78%, so a small statistical advantage would remain on the Brazilians’ side.
- Ancient may also make it through the veto. Here, the situation shifts in favor of NiP — 47% against only 29% for Legacy, although it was the Brazilians who won this map in the previous head-to-head series.
KEY DUELS
- stavn vs latto — the main individual matchup between the most productive players on both teams.
- xKacpersky vs n1ssim — a duel that may significantly influence first contacts and the creation of man advantages.
- sjuush vs dumau — a rifle matchup, especially important in the middle and closing stages of rounds.
PREDICTION
Ninjas in Pyjamas have a real chance to put up a fight thanks to the Bo1 format. The best scenario for the European roster is to remove Mirage and try to leave Nuke or Ancient. Nuke looks especially dangerous, as NiP have a 79% win rate there and have already beaten Legacy on it in a head-to-head match.
However, Legacy have more arguments in their favor. The Brazilians are higher in the world ranking, have much better numbers on Mirage and Inferno, and latto is showing stronger individual form. If Legacy avoid Nuke and get a comfortable map, they should have a small advantage and advance to the Upper semi-finals.
Projected result: Legacy 13–10 Ninjas in Pyjamas
