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In a ground breaking announcement, the Esports World Cup has revealed the addition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Warzone to their roster of games.
This development marks a significant expansion of the event, which now boasts an impressive line-up of 22 competitions, including some of the most popular esports titles such as Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and more.
The inclusion of Call of Duty titles brings a fresh wave of excitement to the Esports World Cup, with Modern Warfare 3 set to feature 16 competing teams vying for a generous prize pool of $1.8 million.
Meanwhile, Warzone will see 21 teams battling it out for their share of a $1 million prize pool.
These tournaments are scheduled to take place from July 3 to 6 for Warzone and August 15 to 18 for MW3.
Drop into the excitement of the #CallofDuty #Warzone invitational tournament at the #EsportsWorldCup!
We're here to arm you with the essential info 🧠
— Esports World Cup (@EWC_EN) June 12, 2024
However, amidst the anticipation surrounding this monumental event, there has been criticism from various quarters within the esports community.
Some stakeholders have raised concerns about the Esports World Cup being hosted in Saudi Arabia, citing the country’s human rights record and its stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
This criticism has led to discussions about the concept of “esportswashing,” wherein countries use esports events to improve their public image despite ongoing controversies.
The partnership between the Esports World Cup and the Esports Awards has also stirred controversy, prompting individuals like PGL’s CEO Silviu Stroie to step down from their roles in protest.
Nevertheless, the organizers of the Esports World Cup remain committed to delivering a world-class event, with CEO Ralf Reichert expressing excitement about welcoming Call of Duty athletes and fans to Riyadh.
With the event’s total prize pool exceeding $33 million, it’s poised to be a spectacle of competitive excellence and esports fandom, albeit amidst ongoing discussions about its geopolitical implications.
