Updated: November 9 (final results).

The Overwatch World Cup (OWWC) is back after a three-year hiatus fraught with changes! A lot has happened since the previous Overwatch World Cup in 2019, namely the COVID-19 pandemic and the huge meta-shift following the transition to Overwatch 2.

Many former champions and competitors have since retired as plenty of new faces step up to take on the mantle. Sixteen nations compete this year, but only one can claim the title. Which team will become the first Overwatch World Cup champions since 2019? Only time will tell.

Here is all the information you need to know about the Overwatch World Cup 2023, including the full schedule, where to watch, all 16 teams competing, and the World Cup prize pool.

Overwatch World Cup 2023: Format

Before the Overwatch World Cup began, there were some programs to determine which teams got to play at the LAN event. There were Overwatch World Cup Trials in February to decide which teams would represent their countries.

In June, the 36 selected countries (based on Overwatch 2 player population data) competed in Overwatch World Cup Qualifiers to earn slots in the LAN Finals, the next phase in the tournament. An additional four teams also played in online qualifiers through the "Wild Card Challenge." Of all the teams, 15 advanced to the Overwatch World Cup Group Stages, beginning on October 29. China received a direct invitation due to the "current dynamics in China."

Below, you'll find the exact format for the main event of the OWWC 2023.

Group Stage (October 29 - November 1)

• The Group Stage is played online at the Anaheim Convention Center.
• The sixteen teams are split into four round-robin groups.
• All matches are Ft2 (first to two)
• The top eight teams advance to the live playoffs, while the bottom eight are eliminated.

Playoffs (November 3 - 4)

• The Grand Finals are conducted in front of a live audience at the Anaheim Convention Center during Blizzcon.
• All matches are played in a single-elimination bracket.

Overwatch World Cup 2023: Prize Pool

The total prize pool has yet to be decided, as it is 25% funded by crowdfunding bundles containing exclusive and rare in-game cosmetics. The prize pool for the last OWWC was $90,000.

Players can purchase the OWWC Crowdfunding Epic Bundle for 1,000 Overwatch Coins or the Mega Bundle for 3,200 Overwatch Coins this year. Find out what the Mega Bundle includes below.

• Boleiro Lucio Skin (Epic)
• Water Warrior Sojourn Skin (Legendary)
• Other cosmetics: Name Cards: All teams, Sojourn voice line, Trident victory pose.
• Golden Souvenir World Cup Trophy 2023
• 2023 Overwatch World Cup weapon charm

Overwatch World Cup 2023: Teams

The sixteen teams competing in the Overwatch World Cup 2023 have all fought tooth and nail for a chance to compete at Blizzcon through online qualifiers and the World Cup trial. Some teams to watch include Team South Korea, Team United Kingdom, and Team Canada, but xQC fans are out of luck this year as he isn't on the roster.

Each country has a National Competition Committee, which consists of a general manager, head coach, and a social lead, all of whom were responsible for organizing tryouts for their country earlier in the Overwatch World Cup trials. We've seen many of these players earlier this year competing in the Overwatch League, but how will they fare on the international stage?

Here are all the teams competing in the Group Stages of the Overwatch World Cup, including their player rosters identified by their in-game ID.

Asia-Pacific Group

• Australia: QIN, naahmie, Nanda, cuFFa, Punk, Bertlog, Ackyyy
• China: Shy, leave, guxue, Twenty, Mmonk, lengsa, Faraway1987
• Hong Kong: Despair, Kurumi, XIAOLIAN, R3K, AmCrazy, ManGoJai, IRP
• Japan: Nico, Qki, Mihawk, KSG, Plankton, mint, Qloud
• Thailand: HyVision, Ace, KallBun, Rodtunglnw, mush2oom, PaLee, oPuTo
• South Korea: LIP, Sp9rkle, Hanbin, Fearless, Fielder, ChiYo, FiNN

Americas Group

• Brazil: Ludwig, Svenko, TheSeriusGui, Dalca, neil, Nyohl, xfel
• Canada: Seeker, Noxious, Astronexz, False, MagicM8Ball, Crimzo, cal
• Colombia: dr0mr, Eqo, Eternal, SuperGomez, HappyAlonso, Mixvi, Hug
• Mexico: Chobilux, Angelvolado, hysteria, Castled, Sopa, Paolette, Momo
• United States: Hydron, Sugarfree, Danteh, Coluge, super, Rupal, Ultraviolet

Europe and Middle East Group

• Finland: Sauna, Clowd, Lhcloudy, Vestola, Mickji, Olli, Masaa
• France: Avo, NiCOgdh, Pak, BenBest, Poko, FDGod, reviewz
• Saudi Arabia: Youbi, Quartz, YZNSA, KSAA, Haku, SirMajed, One
• Spain: Punk, Loren, CrazyDragon, Helv, heaveNN, Galaa, Khanail
• United Kingdom: Backbone, WMaimone, Kai, JkAru19, Smex, Kronus, FunnyAstro

Overwatch World Cup 2023: Schedule

The 2023 Overwatch World Cup will kick off with the Group Stage on October 29. Take a look below to see how the groups are divided.

• Group A: South Korea, Colombia, Mexico, Finland
• Group B: Australia, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom
• Group C: China, Spain, Hong Kong, Thailand
• Group D: Japan, Saudi Arabia, United States, France

The Overwatch World Cup Finals have historically occurred during BlizzCon weekend, November 2-3 this year. All times listed below will be in ET, and match winners will be in bold. 

October 29

• 2:00 PM: UK vs. Canada
• 3:00 PM: Finland vs. Mexico
• 4:00 PM: Australia vs. Brazil
• 5:00 PM: Japan vs. France
• 6:00 PM: Thailand vs. Hong Kong
• 7:00 PM: South Korea vs. Colombia

October 30

• 2:00 PM: Spain vs. Thailand
• 3:00 PM: Saudi Arabia vs. Japan
• 4:00 PM: Colombia vs. Mexico
• 5:00 PM: China vs. Hong Kong
• 6:00 PM: USA vs. France
• 7:00 PM: Canada vs. Australia

October 31

• 2:00 PM: Colombia vs. Finland
• 3:00 PM: Spain vs. China
• 4:00 PM: Brazil vs. Canada
• 5:00 PM: South Korea vs. Mexico
• 6:00 PM: UK vs. Australia
• 7:00 PM: USA vs. Saudi Arabia

November 1

• 2:00 PM: France vs. Saudi Arabia
• 3:00 PM: Finland vs. South Korea
• 4:00 PM: Spain vs. Hong Kong
• 5:00 PM: UK vs. Brazil
• 6:00 PM: Japan vs. USA
• 7:00 PM: China vs. Thailand

Overwatch World Cup 2023: Playoffs Schedule

November 3 (Quarterfinals)

• 12:30 PM: Canada vs. South Korea
• 4:45 PM: USA vs. China
• 6:15 PM: UK vs. Finland
• 7:45 PM: Saudi Arabia vs. Spain

November 4 (Semifinals)

• 12:30 PM: South Korea vs. China
• 2:15 PM: Finland vs. Saudi Arabia

November 4 (Third Place Match)

• 4:15 PM: South Korea vs. Finland

November 4 (Grand Final)

• 5:45 PM: China vs. Saudi Arabia

Overwatch World Cup 2023: Where to Watch

Previously, the Overwatch World Cup was live-streamed exclusively on the official Overwatch Twitch channel. However, the Overwatch League has a new broadcast deal with YouTube, so all matches will be available on both platforms. We've embedded the Overwatch YouTube channel below for your convenience.

Blizzard Entertainment has also allowed more co-streaming rights with online influencers and streamers, so you can check out other watch parties on Twitch with your favorite streamers!

Final Thoughts

That's all the information we have on the 2023 Overwatch World Cup. We hope you tune in to watch - may the best team win! Stay tuned as we'll keep this article updated with all the latest information, including all match winners, standings, and schedule changes. Please keep your eyes peeled, too, for our dedicated OWWC betting guide, coming soon!

Want more Overwatch content? Check out our guides to the best crosshairs, the ranking system, how to unlock all heroes, the latest patch notes, and gameplay guides for Mercy and D.Va.