Team LYON, the Only team from Latin America, captured the ultimate crown at the Free Fire Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 in Paris, France, while Thailand’s AG.AL secured the tournament’s runner-up spot.

Tournament Summary & Prize Breakdown

• Champion: Team LYON (LATAM) – Earned $300,000 USD and a direct invitation to the FFWS Global Finals this November.
• Runner-Up: AG.AL (Thailand) – Claimed the second-place position after a fierce battle in the Grand Finals.
• Tournament MVP: gamezk1ng (Team LYON) – Awarded an extra $25,000 USD bonus for an outstanding individual performance.

The Emotional Toll of the Rusher Role

The victory was an overwhelming emotional release for Team LYON’s superstar rusher, Benjamín Pérez, playing as gamezk1ng. He joined the team in 2024 and, in just two years, earned a handsome amount of $ 124,347 USD. Upon securing the final win, the player broke down in tears on stage—a release of pure emotion, exhaustion, and the intense pressure built up throughout the tournament.

As he stated, it was very difficult for me to deal with my anxiety for a couple of months. I never talked to anyone except my family. Every single trip was a struggle for me. and i am very very happy to be the champion with my team.

As a rusher, he bore the most difficult role in Free Fire, where a player must constantly draw enemy fire and act as a distraction while simultaneously staying alive to secure crucial points.

Read More: Esports World Cup 2026 opening ceremony fails to impress

Bracket Run & Stage Standings

The tournament progressed through a highly competitive structure to determine who would engrave their names on the victory totem:

• Group Stage: 24 global teams were narrowed down. The top 4 from each group went straight to the finals, while the mid-tier teams fought for survival.
• Survival Stage: Apex Gaming dropped 165 points with 103 kills and a Booyah right behind LYON, which secured 185 points in total, while S8UL Esports stacked 151 points, 94 kills, and a Booyah to grab 4th right after Team Falcons, which 160 points clinched 3rd position. Both squads from India fought their way into the Grand Finals — but once the stage flipped, India’s hopes crashed as they finished 11th and 12th.
• Grand Finals: Team LYON dominated the standings with 155 points, closely followed by runner-up Team AG.AL with 122 points, Team LOUD (111 points), and Twisted Minds (103 points).
• Grand Finals: Played in the intense Champion Rush format. Teams had to surpass a 90-point threshold, after which the first squad to secure a “Booyah” was crowned the definitive global champion. Team LYON recorded a record‑breaking 45 points in the finals, achieving 33 kills in a single match.

Watch the full tournament broadcast and relive the crowning moment of the LATAM champions: