With eight teams left in the hunt for the CrossFire EWC title, we preview all four of Friday’s knockout matchups with betting odds, predictions, and value tips.
With eight teams left in the hunt for the CrossFire EWC title, we preview all four of Friday’s knockout matchups with betting odds, predictions, and value tips.

The CrossFire Esports World Cup 2025 quarterfinals kick off on Friday, August 22, with eight teams left chasing a share of the US$2 million prize pool and valuable Esports World Cup ranking points.
After three days of high-pressure group play in Riyadh, every remaining series is a best-of-three knockout with a semifinal berth on the line.
Here’s how the opening day of playoff action shapes up.
When: August 22, 2025 | 11:00 AST
Watch Live: Twitch
Al Qadsiah Esports have looked every bit like one the tournament favorites so far, sweeping Gaimin Gladiators 2–0 after edging out KINGZERO on Day 1. Thales “Aktion” de Oliveira and Felipe “Fefe” Marques provide the core rifle power, while Gabriel “silva” Sobral and Rodrigo “MG” Alves thrive in mid-round executions. With back-to-back CrossFire Brazil League titles behind them and clean form in Riyadh, Al Qadsiah enter this quarterfinal as deserving favorites with the top esports betting sites.
Team Stallions have been the Cinderella story of Group D, taking down NAVI twice in three days to clinch their spot in the knockouts. Ar Jay “Jjhae” Bacus and Kent Lloyd “kLp” Pegarro have spearheaded their aggressive entry play, while Jaylord “LOYY” Pasulot’s consistency gives them a reliable closer. The Filipinos have already shown they can punch above their weight, but they’ll need a near-perfect series to topple the Brazilian-Saudi powerhouse.
Best Odds: Qing Jiu Club +183 at BetOnline | BaiSha Gaming -285.71 at SportsBetting
When: August 22, 2025 | 13:00 AST
Watch Live: Twitch
Qing Jiu Club have impressed so far in Riyadh, sweeping ROC Esports and then dismantling Team Liquid 2–0 in the winners’ match. Huang “Yu” Chuyu and Jin “Koi” Zhaoyang have been the engine of their attack, while Dai “yj” Shenchen’s consistency makes them dangerous in drawn-out series. Their tactical structure and depth give them every chance of extending this quarterfinal.
BaiSha Gaming have been tested more, cruising past Team Falcons but falling narrowly 2–1 to Evolution Power Gaming before eliminating Falcons again in the decider. Zheng “Xxiao” Qi and Wang “N9” Hao headline a stacked lineup with Chen “577” Jinwei and Ren “YDSS” Hongyu providing additional firepower. With international pedigree and multiple S-Tier titles, BaiSha remain deserving favorites, but their map drops show they’re not invincible.
This matchup feels destined to go long with both sides carrying proven fragging depth. The sharp play is over 2.5 maps, as Qing Jiu have the tools to push BaiSha to a decider even if they fall short.
Best Odds: Evolution Power -625 at BetOnline | ROC Esports +336 at SportsBetting
When: August 22, 2025 | 15:00 AST
Watch Live: Twitch
Evolution Power Gaming enter this quarterfinal as overwhelming favorites, having cruised through Group C with wins over Inner Circle and BaiSha Gaming. Yan “YZK” Kai and Zhao “mino” Lumin have been standout performers, while Jiang “xqq” Ke’s consistency adds balance to their firepower-heavy roster. With international titles under their belt and the tactical nous of coach Feng “n1ce” Yongqiang, EP will expect to control both pace and positioning from the start.
ROC Esports, however, arrive with momentum after grinding through Group B. Despite a rough 2–0 loss to Qing Jiu Club on opening day, they bounced back to eliminate EVOS Esports and pulled off a gutsy 2–1 upset over Team Liquid. Mohamed “Horus” Mahrous and Ahmed “SNARE” Salah were pivotal in that win, while Abdelrahman “slayer” Fawzy and Youssef “tottziN” Nasser showed resilience under pressure.
Best Odds: AG.AL -344.83 at BetOnline | KINGZERO +215 at SportsBetting
When: August 22, 2025 | 17:00 AST
Watch Live: Twitch
AG.AL powered through Group D with 2–0 sweeps of Virtus.pro and Team Stallions, showing why they’re one of China’s most decorated CrossFire teams. Zhang “ZQ” Qian and Yang “Jwei” Jiawei anchor a stacked rifle core, while Meng “Doo” Kun’s consistency across maps makes them a nightmare matchup. Their track record in international events and ability to shut down opponents early justifies their status as heavy favorites with CrossFire betting sites.
KINGZERO-eSports enter this quarterfinal as underdogs, but they’ve built momentum after eliminating Twisted Minds and Gaimin Gladiators to reach the final eight. Luo “HAO” Hao and Gao “yf” Yuanfeng bring strong CFPL experience, while Xu “xn” Neng and Ma “B1n” Hongbin add tactical flexibility. If KZ are to make this competitive, they’ll need to replicate their upset form with fast starts and deny AG.AL early control.