Kataomi criticized Esports World Cup 2026

BetBoom Team Dota 2 player Vladislav Kataomi Semyonov criticized the organization of the Esports World Cup 2026. The e-sportsman noted that the team needs to travel 15 minutes to the training rooms. Kataomi spoke about this in the club’s vlog from the championship.

The tournament is still being held from such a position that we are recruiting and hoping for the best. There was no bootcamp for the Esports World Cup 2026 due to my injury. [Question: “How do you like the tournament, the organization, Paris?”] Surprisingly, everything was prepared normally in a short time. But the practicalities, of course, are not wow. And the fact that you have to travel to play practically 15 minutes from the hotel is acceptable. [Question: “What do you think about the format?”] Nothing has changed in terms of format since last year, as far as I know. It was like that - not just a wow format - but it remains that way. Last year, I remember we made it [to the playoffs] from first place in the group, and we sat in the hotel for a week. I really didn't like this. So we are not playing in the top 1 group this time (smiles). Everything is according to plan.

Earlier, due to the abnormal heat in France, two participants in the EWC tournaments suffered heatstroke. One of the Dota 2 fans wrote a long post in which he talked about the organizational problems of the event.

Esports World Cup 2026 for Dota 2 takes place from July 7 to 19 in Paris, France. Participants compete for a prize fund of $2 million. In total, the festival features 25 disciplines, in which a total of $75 million will be up for grabs.