Call of Duty 2026 is reportedly being developed exclusively for next-generation consoles, including the yet-to-be-announced next Xbox.
This information comes from well-known Call of Duty leaker TheGhostOfHope, who shared these details on X following news of Black Ops 6's Season 3 delay until April.
According to Hope, the COD 2026, likely to be a Modern Warfare 4 title, will skip past-generation consoles entirely, unlike Call of Duty 2025. If accurate, this suggests Microsoft's next Xbox console could launch around Fall 2026, giving gamers their first concrete hint about the timing of the next console generation.
The leaker also claimed that the future of Call of Duty: Warzone hangs in the balance. As per his source, if the upcoming return of the popular Verdansk map fails to bring players back to Warzone, a third installment in the free-to-play Battle Royale series may not be released at all.
Neither Activision nor Microsoft has officially confirmed any details about Call of Duty 2026, or even Call of Duty 2025 at this time. However, insider previously suggested the next game in the franchise will be a Black Ops 2 sequel developed by Treyarch Games.
The timing of a potential next-gen Xbox release aligns with the typical console lifecycle. The current Xbox Series X|S launched in November 2020, which would make a 2026 release approximately six years into the current generation – consistent with previous console transition periods.
Call of Duty: Warzone originally launched in March 2020 to massive success, attracting tens of millions of players worldwide and transforming the Call of Duty ecosystem. However, player numbers have declined over time, putting pressure on Activision to reinvigorate interest in the battle royale.
The delayed Season 3 update, now scheduled for April 3rd, will bring back the original Verdansk map in what appears to be a last-ditch effort to recapture the game's former glory. The success or failure of this nostalgic return could determine whether Warzone continues with a third iteration or potentially comes to an end.
As with all gaming rumors, these details should be taken with caution until officially confirmed by Activision or Microsoft.
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