To find a squad in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 DMZ, invite up to two friends to your party, or turn on Squad Fill in the Ready Up menu and the game drops you into Hajin with two other players. Squads go up to three, and you can also deploy alone. Solo works for quiet looting runs, but a trio with voice chat is the easier way to learn Hajin, finish missions and survive rival squads.
We checked the official Call of Duty DMZ guides, the Xbox store page and press coverage on October 22, 2026. When Activision has not announced something, we say so instead of guessing.
Quick facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam, Battle.net, Xbox on PC), Switch 2 |
| Not on | PS4, Xbox One, Game Pass at launch |
| Release | October 23, 2026; DMZ early access since October 20 (pre-orders) |
| Price | DMZ is part of Modern Warfare 4, not a separate free game |
| Squad size | Up to 3 players |
| Solo | Yes: deploy alone with Squad Fill off |
| Players per match | No official number; press reports about 60 |
| Match length | About 30 minutes, no late joins (press report) |
| Cross-play | Yes, including Switch 2 with PC, Xbox and PlayStation |
| Season 1 | "Shortly after" launch, no official date we could confirm |
How DMZ squads work
DMZ is the extraction mode of Modern Warfare 4. You drop into Hajin, an exclusion zone on the Korean peninsula, fight AI forces and rival players, loot, complete objectives and exfil. Activision says playing "within a squad or acting alone, is entirely up to you."
From your Forward Operating Base (FOB) you pick Story Missions, Dynamic Operations or Free Roam, then reach the Ready Up menu, where you turn Squad Fill on or off. With it on, the game deploys you with two other allied players, which the official guide recommends if you have no friends to play with.
What is at stake when a squad wipes:
- Backpack loot: anything not in a Secure Slot is lost if you fail to exfil. Medium Backpacks add Secure Slots.
- Your Operator: if you are eliminated, your Operator goes MIA. You can pay DMZ Cash at the FOB to recover them with their Traits, or dismiss them and start a new one.
- Progress: XP keeps counting even when you die. Weapon progression is shared between Multiplayer and DMZ.
- Insurance: the Vault Edition includes two Weapon Insurance Contracts, but Activision has not detailed how insurance works in DMZ yet.
DMZ also has proximity chat: you can hear (or mute) rival Operators nearby. Talking to a rival squad can end a fight before it starts, or start one.
Solo vs duo vs trio
| Setup | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | Stealth, farming one item, short sessions | Rival trios, nobody to revive you |
| Duo | Two friends who already play together | One down means the other plays alone |
| Trio | Story Missions, Lieutenants, hot exfils | Needs a third player you can talk to |
Go solo to farm one item, learn the map at your own pace or play without waiting for anyone. The official guide says the Stealth Meter helps solo players avoid AI detection. PC Gamer reports there is no dedicated solo or duo mode at launch, but matchmaking favors similar party sizes, so it is not a promise that you will only meet other solos.
Go duo if you have one reliable friend. You keep the revive and the second pair of eyes, and Squad Fill is optional.
Go trio for everything else. Lieutenants, Commanders and the Bounty system punish small teams: picking up a Lieutenant's Dog Tag Case broadcasts your position to the whole map, and the safest answer is three players covering the exfil.
How to find a DMZ squad
1. Friends first
The best squad is two people you know, on voice. Cross-play lets a Switch 2 or PS5 friend join a PC player.
2. In-game Squad Fill
Squad Fill is instant, but random: no guarantee your two teammates use a mic or follow the same mission. Fine for Free Roam, harder for Story Missions.
3. Discord LFG
Post your platform, region and goal in a server's LFG channel. It works, but replies take time and posts scroll away fast. Our list of the best LFG Discord servers in 2026 is a good place to start.
4. GameVerse
GameVerse is a free desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, mobile coming soon. It shows you players who are online now on the same game, mode and region, who want the same kind of session, chill or competitive, and it is cross-play aware. Then you chat and jump into a lobby with voice chat. It does not match on rank, K/D or stats.
DMZ is not listed as its own game in GameVerse yet. Until it is, use the Call of Duty Warzone page to meet Call of Duty players, and the Warzone trio, duo or quad pages once Warzone gets Modern Warfare 4 content.
Tips for your first squad
- Agree on the goal before you drop: a Story Mission, a Dynamic Op or a loot run. Compare DMZ Orders, some overlap.
- Use the Free Loadout early: if you extract, you keep the items, which builds your Stash without risking good gear.
- Pick one leader for the exfil call: split votes at the exfil are how squads die.
- Mind the Dog Tag Cases: taking a Lieutenant's case reveals your position, so only grab it if the squad is ready to leave.
- Use proximity chat on purpose: mute rivals when you need focus, listen when you are hunting.
Roles inside a trio
These are not in-game classes, just a way to split the work. Trait Points go into three trees (Warfighter, Scout and Survivalist), so each Operator can lean one way.
- Point (Warfighter): first in, handles AI patrols and rival players.
- Scout: marks enemies, plans routes, watches the Tac Map for Bounty and Lieutenant intel.
- Support (Survivalist): carries medkits and plates, revives, and holds the Secure Slots for the loot that matters.
FAQ
How many players are in a DMZ squad?
Up to three. With Squad Fill on, the game adds two allied players to reach a full trio. You can also deploy alone or as a duo.
Can you play DMZ solo in Modern Warfare 4?
Yes. Turn Squad Fill off in the Ready Up menu. There is no solo-only mode at launch, so you can still meet full squads, even if matchmaking favors similar party sizes.
Is MW4 DMZ free to play?
No. DMZ is one of the three modes of Modern Warfare 4, alongside Campaign and Multiplayer, and comes with the game. It is not on Game Pass at launch.
How many players are in a DMZ match?
Infinity Ward has not published an official number. PC Gamer reports that Hajin seems to max out around 60 players.
Does MW4 DMZ have cross-play?
Yes. Modern Warfare 4 has cross-play across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.
When does Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 start?
Activision says Season 1 comes shortly after the October 23 launch, and from Season 1 Warzone integrates Modern Warfare 4 content and progression. We could not confirm an exact date on an official page. For how Warzone matchmaking treats your squad, see our Warzone SBMM guide.