PlayTime's default loss and the suspensions of DarkMago and Vintage at Esports World Cup 2026: what happened

PlayTime has exited Esports World Cup 2026 following an investigation by the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC). Earlier, the tournament organizers postponed the team's match against Vici Gaming, which had been scheduled for July 14 at 14:30.

It was later revealed that the decision was made as a precautionary measure due to an ongoing investigation into a potential breach of competitive integrity.

At the same time, ESIC temporarily suspended mid laner Herrera Martínez DarkMago Oswaldo Gonzalo and the team's sporting director Juan David Vintage Angulo Niño pending the outcome of the investigation.

According to ESIC, both team representatives have been suspended until the investigation is concluded. During this period, they are prohibited from participating not only in the current championship but also in any tournaments organized by ESIC partner organizers.

In addition, Vintage has been temporarily banned from serving as a coach, manager, analyst, or in any other role involving professional teams or players.

ESIC emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and that the members of the roster have not been found guilty at this time. Both individuals have been informed of the temporary measures and were given the opportunity to provide statements and evidence relevant to the investigation.

It is worth noting that David Vintage Angulo is one of Peru's most well-known coaches. He began his coaching career in 2019 and has since worked with several of the region's top teams, including paiN Gaming, BOOM Esports, and OG.LATAM.

Representatives of PlayTime also commented on the situation. The organization stated that it was not involved in any alleged match-fixing or rule violations and was unaware of such activities. The club has launched a thorough internal investigation and has suspended the individuals in question pending the outcome of the investigation.

“We are in close contact with EWC representatives and are cooperating fully with them to ensure complete transparency. If the official investigation confirms that any member of our team was involved in illegal activities, we will immediately take decisive disciplinary action, including terminating contracts and formally notifying all relevant regulatory authorities.”

The Esports World Cup 2026 for Dota 2 runs from 07.07.2026 to 19.07.2026. Twenty-four teams will compete for a prize pool of $2,000,000. You can follow the tournament in detail in our coverage.

As CyberScore previously reported, KJ commented on LGD’s group stage performance at the Esports World Cup 2026.