The Call of Duty League (CDL) consistently showcases the world’s best teams and players. But with so many contenders, it can be challenging to determine who is truly deserving of the CDL World Championship spotlight—or your Call of Duty bets.

That’s why we’ve ranked the top five best CoD teams for the CDL 2026 season, based on player accolades, overall performance, and roster construction.

Top 5 CDL Teams In Call of Duty League 2026 Season

OpTic Texas (#1)

When it comes to competitive Call of Duty, OpTic has long been a fan favorite, consistently dominating the scene time and time again. After Kenny’s departure, the team signed Mercules, who quickly emerged as the player to watch and a statistical powerhouse in the CDL.

In his debut season, Mercules earned MVP honors and ranked among the league’s K/D leaders with a 1.11 global K/D, supported by a championship-proven core featuring Shotzzy and Dashy.

Shotzzy brings relentless pressure and a high kill output, while maintaining a top-five global K/D, whereas Dashy provides elite precision and composure in clutch, outnumbered situations. Rounding out the roster is Huke, whose role focuses on objective control and breaking through enemy lines.

Although OpTic Texas didn’t finish near the top of the Regular Season standings, they once again proved their experience and championship pedigree by winning both the 2025 Esports World Cup and CDL Championship, successfully defending their league title from the previous year.

OpTic Texas’s dominant start to the 2026 Regular Season puts them in a position to defend their world titles and potentially make history with a third straight Champs victory. With eight championship rings, OpTic remains the most decorated organization in CDL history, boasting unmatched experience and deep competitive knowledge.

Los Angeles Thieves (#2)

Los Angeles Thieves bring together some of the CDL’s best players, headlined by HyDra and Scrap. HyDra led the Regular Season in total kills (405) and was widely regarded as the best slayer in the league, boasting one of the strongest K/D ratios among SMGs.

As for Scrap, he stands out as one of the most aggressive ARs in the CDL, consistently ranking in the top leaders for damage per 10 minutes and total kills. Even without winning a title in 2025, LA Thieves were arguably the most dominant team throughout the season.

They led in win rates and maps won, securing two consecutive LAN Major victories, and delivered an outstanding performance during the Major 3 Qualifiers, where they dropped only three maps. Additionally, their acquisition of aBeZy and Kenny is expected to elevate an already elite roster.

Notably, the team parted ways with Ghosty, despite his strong K/D, opting instead for two proven champions to avoid a repeat failure at Champs 2025.

aBeZy is one of the league’s best entry players, excelling at breaking setups and opening rounds in S&D, finishing among the league leaders in total kills. Similarly, Kenny is a tactical veteran and is set to take on the IGL role, returning to the organization where he previously earned MVP honors.

FaZe Vegas (#3)

Despite being the most consistent team since the CDL launched in 2020, a trend they continued last season, FaZe Vegas has undergone some notable roster changes that could impact their performance.

That said, they’ve retained key players like Simp, who finished among the best K/D globally during the 2025 CDL season and is widely considered one of the most well-rounded players in the league.

They also kept Drazah, previously tasked with absorbing pressure and dealing heavy damage, who will now have greater freedom to dictate the match pace. Ultimately, FaZe Vegas’ performance in the 2026 season will likely be shaped by the experience and talent of the players who remained, combined with the freshness of new additions like Abuzah and 04.

Abuzah led his team to the Champs 2025 Grand Final as their top performer, while 04 has emerged as one of the league’s most promising rising talents after standout performances in Challengers and at Major 4.

FaZe Vegas finished second overall last season with 505 CDL points, securing back-to-back Major wins at Majors 1 and 2 and posting an impressive 75.6% series win rate with a 34-11 record.

Much of that success was driven by the Simp, aBeZy, and Cellium trio, a core the team no longer has, which will inevitably impact its performance. Despite entering Champs 2025 as one of the favorites, FaZe Vegas ultimately placed fifth after being eliminated by OpTic Texas and Miami Heretics.

Toronto KOI (#4)

Toronto KOI (formerly Toronto Ultra) has established itself as one of the most consistent teams in the CDL, finishing the 2025 season third overall and standing out as one of the toughest opponents in strategic game modes.

The team excels in modes like Control and Hardpoint, where their structured approach and decision-making result in a high win rate. This strategic strength, combined with their reliability on LAN, made Toronto one of the few teams to never place outside the top four at in-person events.

CleanX, often considered the heart of the roster, dominates engagements and defensive situations, posting a strong global K/D despite playing an SMG role and ranking among the best CDL players in the world.

Insight serves as the team’s stabilizing anchor, maintaining structure and control, excelling in 1v2 clutch situations, and leading in average Hardpoint hill time. JoeDeceives is the team’s rising star, injecting aggression and firepower while consistently posting high K/Ds, slayer ratings, and kill totals.

Rounding out the roster is ex-Miami Heretics player ReeaL, whose versatility and clutch factor shine on slower, more methodical maps. While inconsistency has occasionally held Toronto back, the acquisition of JoeDeceives and ReeaL is set to transform the team into a more aggressive, high-damage lineup.

Paris Gentle Mates (#5)

While the team was inconsistent under its previous branding as the LA Guerrillas, Paris Gentle Mates has assembled a highly talented roster built around efficiency and strong individual performances.

On paper, these changes place Paris Gentle Mates among the most balanced teams in the CDL. Ghosty serves as a reliable presence in disadvantageous situations, while Sib is widely regarded as one of the league’s best long-range AR players, known for his clutch potential and ability to secure aces.

They’re complemented by Envoy as the entry SMG, who has delivered an impressive K/D for his role while providing strong tactical value through effective flanking. Meanwhile, Neptune serves as the glue that keeps the team operating at a high tempo, bringing a high engagement rate as an SMG.

Although the organization struggled with inconsistency in the past, the early stages of the CDL 2026 season suggest that those issues may be behind them. The current roster has demonstrated strong efficiency in firepower, map control, and tactical decision-making.

It’s only a matter of time to see how far they can go, but statistically, Gentle Mates should have what it takes to win, with the upcoming CDL 2026 Major 1 serving as the perfect proving ground.

FAQs

What makes a CDL team dominant?

Building a dominant CDL team requires balanced roles across players, coaches, and support staff. This structure enables consistent practice, strategic control across all modes, and better in-game decisions, giving teams an edge through experience, preparation, and deep game knowledge.

How important are major wins when judging the best CDL teams?

Major victories reflect a team’s dominance and consistency while creating an intimidation factor. Winning a Major is the regular season’s biggest achievement, awarding CDL points, seeding advantages, and heavily influencing Power Rankings and MVP discussions.

Which CDL team performs best on LAN?

FaZe Vegas (formerly Atlanta FaZe) has been the strongest LAN performer in CDL history. Since 2020, they’ve recorded the most finals appearances, won seven LAN Major titles, and reached the final in over half of the LAN events they’ve played.

Which CDL teams are favored to win Champs 2026?

The top contenders to win Champs 2026 are Los Angeles Thieves and OpTic Texas, thanks to their strong rosters, experience, and previous performance. However, there could be surprises from Paris Gentle Mates if they’re able to fully leverage their players’ individual talent to compete with the more established teams.