The drought is finally over for 100 Thieves. In a performance that will be etched into the organization's history, the North American squad captured their first-ever S-Tier international trophy at the Valorant Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris. By defeating regional rivals and reigning world champions NRG 3-1 in the Grand Final, 100 Thieves proved that their patient roster-building approach has finally reached its zenith.
The series was a masterclass in tactical resilience. 100 Thieves stormed out of the gate, taking the first two maps, Breeze (13-7) and Sunset (13-6), with a level of clinical aggression that left NRG struggling to find their footing. While NRG clawed one back on Haven (13-3), the fourth map, Ascent, became the defining moment of the tournament. Trailing 9-3, the 100 Thieves lineup—spearheaded by rookie IGL Jordan "vora" Pulwer—executed a gritty defensive comeback to force overtime, eventually closing out the map 14-12 to seal the championship.
This victory is particularly sweet for Peter "Asuna" Mazuryk. Having joined the organization over five years ago as a 17-year-old, he has remained the heartbeat of the team through various iterations. Lifting this trophy in Paris serves as the ultimate validation of his loyalty and persistence. Alongside him, tournament MVP Matthew "Cryocells" Panganiban delivered a series of performances that solidified his status as one of the elite players in the world.
For NRG, the loss is a bitter pill, but the final was a testament to the high level of competition within the VCT Americas region. As the dust settles in Paris, 100 Thieves walks away with $600,000 and the knowledge that they are no longer just contenders—they are the team to beat.
If you are looking to track the form of these teams heading into the next stage of the circuit, keep an eye on our MyEsports predictions for upcoming analysis.