The groups for Street Fighter 6 at the Esports World Cup 2025 are finally set. With $250,000 on the line, a direct spot at Capcom Cup 12, and the chance to make esports history, the stage is prepared for one of the most exciting tournaments of the year. Forty-eight of the best players in the world are ready to battle, and only the strongest will survive.
Tokido: The Last of the “Five Gods” in the Main Event
In the fighting game community, the “Five Gods” of Japan are legendary. This group of players dominated tournaments for years, shaping the competitive scene. At EWC 2025, only one of them stands in the main event: Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi.
Daigo Umehara, often called the face of competitive fighting games, was eliminated during the Last Chance Qualifier. This leaves Tokido as the lone representative of that iconic group on the biggest stage in Riyadh.
Tokido’s road will not be easy. He faces fellow Japanese players YHC-Mochi and Hikaru Nakatani, as well as American contender Alan “Nephew” Sun. With a championship already secured earlier this year at the Asian Champions League, Tokido enters with strong momentum, but expectations are high. Fans are eager to see if the veteran can deliver another legendary run.
The Two Groups of Death
The competition is so fierce that not one, but two groups have been labeled “groups of death”. These groups are stacked with champions and legends, guaranteeing early clashes between some of the best in the world.
Group One: Champions and Rivalries
This group features a mix of international stars and Japanese veterans.
- Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II, a three-time EVO winner and the only two-time Capcom Cup champion, enters as the favorite.
- His opening opponent is Michael “Riddles” Kim, known for his Super Smash Bros. background but quickly rising in Street Fighter 6.
- On the other side, Japanese icons Yusuke Momochi and Masaki Kawano will face off in a thrilling first-round match.
MenaRD already holds two wins over Riddles from previous tournaments. But upsets are always possible, and this group promises unpredictable results.
Group Two: Three Champions, One Exit
The second group of death might be even more intense.
- Zeng “Xiaohai” Zhuojun, the defending EWC champion.
- Victor “Punk” Woodley, EVO 2024 champion.
- Kakeru Watanabe, Capcom Cup 2025 winner.
- Toru Tachikawa, who earned his place with a strong Last Chance Qualifier performance.
The opening matches are already blockbuster-level: Xiaohai vs. Punk and Kakeru vs. Tachikawa. With only two advancing, at least one top champion will be eliminated early, proving just how unforgiving this format is.
A Possible Rivalry Rematch: Xiaohai vs. GO1
One storyline fans are watching closely is the potential rematch between Xiaohai and Goichi “GO1” Kishida.
The last time these two met was in the Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves finals at EWC 2025, where GO1 took a 5-3 win. Now, both players are competing in Street Fighter 6. If they meet again on this stage, it could become one of the most exciting rivalries of the tournament.
Street Fighter 6 x EWC 2025 Collaboration
Capcom has also launched a special EWC Battle Hub inside Street Fighter 6. Until August 31st, players can log in to unlock exclusive rewards like nameplates and even make predictions about who will lift the trophy. It’s a fun way for fans to join the excitement directly inside the game.
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