In Lyon-Décines, France, the 20 best Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) teams from across the globe are set to compete in the crowning event: the RLCS World Championship 2025. While many contenders are hailing from various regions across the globe, the #1 team in Europe, Karmine Corp, has the biggest target on their back.
The French esports organization’s Rocket League team, boasting 19-year-old French superstar Axel “Vatira” Touret, the 18-year-old Tristan “Atow” Soyez from Belgium, and the 17-year-old Moroccan/Canadian currently living in France, Samy “dralii” Hajji, will compete in front of a home crowd, with multiple teams looking for revenge.
For Karmine Corp, a treacherous journey begins in what many might consider the “Group of Death.”
RLCS World Championship 2025 Group of Death
Image Credit: Esports World Cup
For all intents and purposes, Group A is the “Group of Death.”
In March, Karmine Corp dominated the Birmingham Major, with a sweeping 4-0 win over FURIA in the Semifinal, and proceeded to crush The Ultimates with a 4-0 clean sweep in the Grand Final. Both FURIA and The Ultimates are in Group A of the RLCS World Championship 2025 with Karmine Corp, looking for revenge.
While Karmine Corp did drop out early in the Raleigh Major, it put the pedal to the medal at the recent Esports World Cup event, claiming the coveted trophy by dunking on Geekay Esports with a 4-1 score in the Grand Final. You’ve guessed it: Geekay Esports is also in Group A of the RLCS World Championship 2025.
Next up in Group A is Dignitas, the second-best team in Europe, having clashed with Karmine Corp multiple times in RLCS 2025 Europe Open events, and has won two Grand Finals against the favorites. The cherry on the cake is that FURIA is the highest-ranked team from the South American region, and Wildcard tops the Oceania region.
It is abundantly clear that Karmine Corp has a massive target on their backs, with multiple teams in Group A looking for revenge after Grand Final losses at the hands of the young French squad. Considering the RLCS 2025 history between the frontrunners and the rest of Group A, one couldn’t hope for a more frightening “Group of Death.”
If there’s one team that can survive, it is Karmine Corp. They have consistently demonstrated a big-match temperament, remaining cool under pressure while competing on the biggest Rocket League esports stages.
At both the 2023 and 2024 World Championships, Karmine Corp ended in 3rd/4th place. The initial goal is to advance from Group A into the Playoffs Stage, which will take place in front of a crowd in the LDLC Arena.
Playing in front of your home crowd can have both advantages and disadvantages. A team can either soak up the cheering crowd to further boost their confidence or show new cracks under pressure when things go south.
These are the two paths for Karmine Corp; it’ll have to drive through one at the RLCS World Championship 2025. Maybe the French crowd will propel Karine Corp to a Grand Final appearance.