GO1 and Xiaohai Could Rematch at EWC Paris
A July 5 Last Chance Qualifier in Paris completed the 32-player field for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves at EWC 2026, setting up a possible GO1–Xiaohai rematch July 7–10.
AbaO won the Last Chance Qualifier in Paris on July 5, defeating WBG Xiaocai 3-1 to claim the final spot in the 32-player field for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves at the Esports World Cup 2026. The main event runs July 7–10 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
The qualifier drew 89 entrants and carried a $50,000 prize pool. SF|Gummy finished third in the LCQ and Pida secured the fourth available slot.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will use a three-phase format. Phase 1 places 32 players into four groups of eight in a GSL-style double-elimination format with best-of-five matches; the top four from each group advance. Phase 2 reduces the field to two groups of eight under the same GSL-style, best-of-five format. Phase 3 is an eight-player single-elimination playoff with best-of-nine matches. The event total is $1 million, with first place receiving $250,000, second $130,000, third $70,000 and fourth $50,000. Placements from fifth through 32nd also carry cash prizes; the lowest bracket pays $7,500 per player.
GO1 is entered as the reigning EWC 2025 champion after defeating Xiaohai in last year’s final. Xiaohai returns after winning Evo 2026. Other entrants include Laggia and Dany El Maza, plus qualifiers mi2ha4, ZJZ, Basher, Naiwang, Fenritti and Reynald. Dany El Maza qualified through DreamHack Birmingham following a CHAIN SHIFT victory. Darkangel, who finished third at EWC 2025, qualified via GEMA LIVE in Mexico City.
Organizers banned Kenshiro, a Season 2 DLC character based on the Fist of the North Star franchise, for the LCQ. SNK has not confirmed whether the ban will apply at the main event.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves launched on April 24, 2025. The game introduced the REV System, a dedicated meter that grants enhanced special moves, repositioning tools and defensive options; excessive use of the meter triggers an Overheat state that reduces available options.
The Esports World Cup has a three-year partnership with SNK that assigns Club Championship points to team organizations. Points from this event will contribute to a $30 million Club Championship pool. The EWC program lists a $75 million total prize pool across its 2026 events.
A rematch between GO1 and Xiaohai can occur if both advance from their groups. The Fatal Fury bracket begins on July 7 in Paris.
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