Overwatch World Cup 2018 Primer: The best in the world get ready to capture gold

Blizzard have just announced the schedule format for the 2018 Overwatch World Cup that is set to take place in early November. The competition begins November 2 thru 3 during the Blizzcon weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Day One of the tournament will feature all eight quarter final teams that qualified through the group stages that occurred over the last few months. Day Two of the competition will see the top four teams competing for bronze, silver and gold as the semi finals and finals will be decided.

Heading into this World Cup, the previous dominance of South Korea is still present, but will recent roster changes affect the way they perform on the big stage? While Finland, USA and Canada loom in the distance, there are a few international lineups that stand a chance at dethroning the two time champions at Blizzcon 2018.

Upset in the making?

The Overwatch World Cup hasn’t historically been one of the peak moments of competitive action for fans of the esport, but this year, times are changing for international fans. After a combustible group stage outing against South Korea in the Qualifiers, Finland have shown they are worthy of international acclaim after their defiant 3-2 loss to Korea in what was a nail biting series.

Players like Timo “Taimou” Kettunen (Dallas Fuel) and Benjamin “BigGoose” Isohanni (Los Angeles Gladiators) have really come into their own at the tale end of the Overwatch League season, and in their international uniforms this dynamic duo of precise aiming and diligent back up have brought a new life to the roster.

After previously dealing with episodes of depression from a roller coaster season with Dallas Fuel, Taimou is eager to continue his upward trajectory. Their quarter final contest against China will be an adequate starting point to continue showing his strength. Top to bottom, Finland are a team capable of taking games or even matches off of the best teams in the world, but they are far from the only talent stacked team looking to make waves at this years World Cup.

Fighting for dominance

This year’s Overwatch World Cup is set to feature some of the most dynamic teams the Western regions have ever produced as Finland, France, Canada and the United States are all viable options for the semi finals. Team Canada are looking to improve from their second place finish last year and with the new and improved skill set of their team, they just might be able to win big in Anaheim.

In order to get to semis though, Team Canada have to cut through the behemoth that is the French international team with Terence “SoOn” Tarlier (Paris OWL) and Benjamin “Unkoe” Chevasson (Dallas Fuel) leading the charge. France have garnered a lot of attention for running extremely clean team compositions as they carved their way through Qualifiers just a few weeks ago.

The United States national team also have a lot of promise to fulfil in this tournament as they are once again clawing for a finals berth given their augment in talent this year. Players like Jay “Sinatraa” Won (San Francisco Shock), Austin “Muma” Wilmot (Houston Outlaws) and Indy “Space” Halpern (Los Angeles Valiant) have all transcended their abilities incredibly since the 2017 tournament, and under the tutelage of their Head Coach Aaron “Aero” Atkins, the prospects of a finals run are well in reach.