In an exciting development for esports fans, two of India’s renowned teams, GodLike and S8UL, have united their forces to compete in the COD Mobile World Championship 2025 Finals. This unexpected merger is shaking up the esports community as these teams prepare to showcase their skills on a global stage.
A Strategic Alliance in Esports
This collaboration comes as both teams face significant challenges that threatened their participation in the Championship. Reports suggest that visa issues might have sidelined these talented players. The highly anticipated World Championship Finals are set to take place in Katowice, Poland, from November 7th to 9th. To circumvent these obstacles, the teams have formed a new roster under the name Newgen Ninjas, comprising three players from S8UL and two from GodLike. Although acquiring a Schengen visa is necessary for Indian players, the earliest available appointment is unfortunately slated for May 2026.
Newgen Ninjas: A Powerhouse Lineup
The Newgen Ninjas bring together stellar talent from both organizations, including S8UL’s Jezz, Giffran “Frann” Prakasa, and Gustav “Marvel” Sausse, alongside GodLike’s Manas “VipeR” Jani and Arnav “Warden” Kalantri. However, the merger is bittersweet as both organizations announce their intention to exit Call of Duty Mobile esports following the tournament. S8UL’s creator, Sid, lamented the current state of CODM esports, hinting at broader challenges within the scene. Both teams are notably dissatisfied with the handling of the visa situation by the tournament organizers.
Visa Challenges Impacting More Teams
Notably, Indian teams aren’t the only ones grappling with visa issues. Stand Point Gaming from China also failed to secure visas, resulting in their slot being reallocated to OUG. Similarly, the merger of GodLike and S8UL opened up a spot for the European team Animus, allowing them a chance to compete. Meanwhile, Activision has stated it is actively working with teams and embassies to address these complications. However, some teams remain unable to secure their visas, underscoring the complex logistics involved in international esports competitions.