History has been written in Paris. In a tournament run that defied the odds, 100 Thieves have been crowned champions of the VALORANT Esports World Cup 2026. By taking down regional rivals NRG in a 3-1 grand final victory, the North American squad secured their first-ever S-Tier international trophy.
The series was a masterclass in resilience. 100 Thieves opened the best-of-five with dominant performances on Breeze and Sunset, establishing a 2-0 lead that left the reigning world champions reeling. While NRG managed to claw one back on Haven, the momentum seemed to shift entirely in their favor during the fourth map, Ascent. Trailing 9-3 at the half, 100 Thieves looked destined for a deciding fifth map.
Instead, the team delivered a defensive clinic. Led by rookie IGL Jordan "vora" Pulwer, the squad mounted a spectacular comeback to force overtime, eventually closing out the map 14-12. This victory is a career-defining moment for veteran Peter "Asuna" Mazuryk, who has been the heartbeat of the organization for over five years.
This win marks a massive turning point for the roster. After rebuilding around a core of experienced talent and hungry rookies, 100 Thieves have proven that their "trust the process" approach yields results. For NRG, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow, but the level of play shown by both North American teams confirms the region's current dominance in the global meta.
As the dust settles in Paris, the focus shifts to how these teams will carry this form into the final stretches of the season. 100 Thieves have cemented their spot at the top, but the competition remains fierce.
Keep an eye on the upcoming schedule for more high-stakes action. For those looking to stay ahead of the game, check out our MyEsports predictions to see who might be the next team to lift a trophy.