Overwatch World Cup Predictions

South Korea winning the 2017 Overwatch World Cup

Last year's world cup was another one in the books for South Korea. A few teams showed promise, but they were simply unable to keep up with Korea's top of the line talent. However, Canada and USA both firmly stood their ground, doing well enough to inspire hope in the future that one day South Korea’s dominance may come to an end.

This year may be the year. With the launch of the Overwatch League, the talent gap has begun to close between South Korea and the west. Rather than solely at Apex, western players were able to face off against Koreans regularly which has led to them improving significantly. With this in mind, we are in store for the most invigorating world cup to date.

Only eight teams made it out of the group stage to BlizzCon this fall. Of those eight, only one will win. Here are my predictions.

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Round 1: Quarterfinals

United States vs. United Kingdom

The United States certainly host some of the best Overwatch talent in the world. Space is truly a star off tank and Muma is a formidable main tank. The US received heavy criticism in playing Rawkus over Sleepy, but Rawkus brings so much more to the team. Not only is he flexible, but Rawkus is one of, if not, America’s best shot callers and though his mechanical skill is not top tier, his game sense and awareness is. USA’s DPS core boasts a ton of talent, and more importantly – versatility. Hydration is a great projectile specialist with perhaps the scariest Doomfist in the venue, second to only Puckett of course. Zacharee can play any hitscan and in the group stages Sinatraa displayed his versatility by playing tank.

On the other hand, United Kingdom is not as fortunate as the United States. Their support duo in Boombox and Kruise is very good, but Boombox still has difficulty with ultimate timing which can easily cost team fights. Their tanks and DPS are solid, but will likely be unable to compete with their higher-level counterparts, something which the US boasts.

Final Verdict: United States

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France vs. Canada

France is a top four team in the world cup who are well rounded amongst their tanks, DPS, and supports. The French Overwatch scene is known for their aggressive playstyle and their lineup certainly reflects that. Poko was one of the best off tanks in OWL Season 1 who became known for his aggressive ultimate usage and playstyle. Soon is very sneaky and great at piercing backlines of the opposition. Nico has slowly started to transform into one of the world’s best Genjis, which is great news for France because they can keep AKM off the blade and put him to use where he excels, as a hitscan. Unkoe and Winz are both very respectable supports and will perform well.

Unfortunate for France, they face one of the best teams early in Canada. Canada was fated to a second seed slot as they lost in their joust against America in the group stages. Now their team is coming back stronger and hungrier. xQc is one of the best main tanks in the world and it is very unlikely that BenBest will be able to match either his Winston or Reinhardt. NotE, though a great D.Va, he does not do well on other off tanks so surely Poko will best him. Canada’s DPS core has one of the world’s best in Surefour, backed up by Agilities and Mangachu. Agilities is a great player, but his consistency remains an issue as it always has. As for Mangachu, he is very consistent, but his skill ceiling is not as high as Agilities’. Bani and Crimzo round off the team as a serviceable, but not spectacular, support line.

Canada’s DPS and tank line slightly outclass France’s, but France has a clear edge in their supports. This will certainly be one of the most enthralling matches in the tournament. Where Canada’s real edge lies is within their coaches. Jayne is one of the best film reviewers in the world and I am sure that he will be able to construct a strategy based upon France’s group stage footage to lead Canada to the win.

Final Verdict: Canada

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China vs. Finland

China was a surprise in the group stage, shattering everyone’s expectations especially after considering the Shanghai Dragon’s abysmal performance in the Overwatch League. They face an exciting Finland roster who nearly beat South Korea in the group stages. One also has to recall that China has the worst map record out of all the number one seeds despite the fact that they were in the easiest group.

Finland has perhaps the best Reinhardt in the west – Fragi – in a Reinhardt friendly meta. Shaz and BigGoose played alongside each other as part of the Los Angeles Gladiators giving them a unique synergy that only the Korean supports have. Their DPS line is also very good having some great hitscans in Linkzr and Taimou, but both of them are inconsistent in their Widowmaker play especially. With this in mind the odds seem to be stacked against China once again.

Final Verdict: Finland

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South Korea vs. Australia

South Korea has consistently produced the most talented players in Overwatch. They have the world’s best hitscan, Carpe, and two of the best flex DPS players in the world – Fleta and Libero (who usually takes on more of a projectile role). Fury is undoubtedly a top two D. Va, Fate is one of the world’s best on both Winston and Reinhardt, and Anamo and Jjonak are the best Support duo in the tournament.

Australia has perhaps the weakest roster in the world cup. Custa surely stands out most, but after him the talent really starts to fall off. Some players such as Trill have experience from last year, but there is not enough to defeat the juggernaut that is South Korea.

Final Verdict: South Korea

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Round 2: Semifinals

United States vs. South Korea

The United States have fell to Korea twice before and this year there is no doubt they will have to face them again. Talent-wise only Space really matches up to his Korean counterpart, but the United States have the world’s best Overwatch coach – Aero. Aero’s strategical genius is near unmatched. His innovation and ability to bring the best out of his players is a rare quality to see in coaches across any sport or esport alike. His transformational leadership style will ensure that the US put up one hell of a fight against South Korea.

South Korea’s talent, though unmatched, is also unprepared. Due to unfortunate circumstances, they have lacked the time and resources to properly practice as a team in preparation for the tournament. This is truly a shame as South Korea has the most talented roster they have seen to date and their inability to invest enough preparation into playing the United States may be their downfall.

Final Verdict: United States

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Canada vs. Finland

Finland’s supports beat out Canada’s, and the Canadians only have a slight advantage in their DPS, but Finland’s tank line is not as good as Canada’s. In season one of the Overwatch League we saw how important main tanks were in Fissure’s transformation of Los Angeles and the fall of Seoul Dynasty. When on Reinhardt the tank lines are fairly even, but if there is a switch to Winston then xQc will dominate Fragi. Canada flew to the finals last year and this year their roster is even better, so it is hard to see them losing. Even in a scenario where France trumps Canada, I doubt Finland has the juice to beat who they face in round two.

Final Verdict: Canada

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Round 3: Grand Finals and 3rd Place Match

South Korea vs. Finland (3rd Place Match)

South Korea beat Finland in groups and should have no trouble doing it again. In the case that Canada falls to this spot, it would be because they went cold so South Korea could probably beat them too.

Final Verdict: South Korea

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United States vs. Canada (Grand Finals)

These two teams faced off and groups and USA’s surprise tactics proved to be too much for Canada. Per Jayne, Canada never had a chance to play against any team who played the same style as the US, but now they did so they would be ready whenever they fought again. However, Aero may have more tricks up his sleeve which Jayne may not foresee.

The rosters are fairly even with only slight advantages outside of DPS. Surefour is one of the best and most flexible DPS players in the world and nobody on team USA matches his pool nor his skill. As for Agilities and Mangachu, consistency is a concern especially with Agilities. Agilities when playing at his peak is one of, if not the best, but his lows are very low. They should be able to swap him out given Mangachu’s deep hero pool, but every map counts.

I personally see the outcome of another USA vs. Canada match coming down to a coaching battle. In this coaching battle, I believe Aero has the ability to overwhelm Jayne, especially because Jayne has not faced Zacharee specifically which may leave a hole in Canada’s preparation.

Final Verdict: United States