Inferno Becomes the Most Popular Map in the Esports World Cup 2026 Group Stage
Inferno Becomes the Most Popular Map in the Esports World Cup 2026 Group Stage
The group stage of the Esports World Cup 2026 has concluded, and the map statistics tell an intriguing story. Inferno topped the list for the number of matches, Anubis showed the greatest T-side advantage and became the most banned map of the tournament, while Nuke demonstrated the sharpest CT imbalance in the entire pool.
Pick Rate: Which Maps Were Chosen Most Often
Inferno — 15 matches — the absolute leader of the group stage in terms of games played and simultaneously one of the least banned maps in the pool with only 23 bans. Teams eagerly choose Inferno regardless of the side — confirming its status as the most neutral map in the pool: 52% on CT versus 48% on T is the closest to balance among all seven maps.
Dust II — 14 matches — the second most popular map with 26 bans. Despite a moderate CT imbalance of 54/46, teams continue to choose it willingly.
Nuke and Mirage — 12 matches each — both maps received the same pick rate, but for different reasons. Nuke has the highest CT imbalance in the pool — 62% on defense, making it attractive for teams with a strong CT side. Mirage shows a similar picture — 57% on CT.
Cache — 9 matches — the new map in the pool gathered a moderate pick rate with 31 bans. The only map after Anubis with a T-side advantage: 47% CT versus 53% T.
Ancient — 8 matches — one of the least chosen maps with 26 bans. A perfect 50/50 balance between sides — a unique statistic among all seven maps.
Anubis — only 3 matches — the least chosen and most banned map of the tournament with 35 bans. Meanwhile, the T-side dominates here with a 59% win rate. Teams either specifically choose it as a weapon against a particular opponent or aggressively remove it at the first opportunity.
Key Takeaways
Nuke — the most CT-oriented map of EWC 2026. A 62% win rate on defense — the largest imbalance in the entire pool. Meanwhile, 26 bans and 12 matches: teams with a strong CT side deliberately pick it, while the rest deliberately avoid it.
Anubis — the outcast map of the tournament. 35 bans — an absolute record of EWC 2026 — and only 3 matches. The greatest T-side advantage in the pool — 59% — makes it unattractive for most CT-oriented rosters. When it is chosen, it is always a deliberate weapon against a specific opponent.
Ancient — the only map with a perfect balance. 50/50 between sides — a unique statistic. However, only 8 matches and 26 bans. Teams are not afraid of Ancient , but they are not rushing to choose it either.
Cache debuted modestly. Its return to Active Duty in Season 5 brought 9 matches and 31 bans. Teams are still exploring the new version of the map, and this is reflected in their cautious approach to it. A T-side advantage of 53/47 has made it attractive for offensive rosters — but most teams still prefer to play on familiar ground.
Inferno remains the most reliable choice. The highest number of matches, the fewest bans, the closest to balanced win rate. No extreme statistics in any direction. That's why teams choose it more often than any other map — results here are determined by skill, not structural advantage.
