We take a look at the current Swiss situation and the decisive matchups for the next round.
The Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage is entering its decisive phase. Gen.G and Dplus KIA have already secured their quarterfinal spots, while Team Secret Whales and Anyone’s Legend are the first teams eliminated. At the same time, T1 and Bilibili Gaming have moved to 2-1, while Team Liquid and LØS survived their first do-or-die series.
LØS Keep Brazil Alive
For LØS, the situation was simple: after losses to T1 and G2, they had to beat Team Secret Whales or their Worlds run was over.
Brazil’s champions delivered. Game 1 lasted almost 40 minutes and actually started better for TSW. The Vietnamese side built early advantages with its snowball composition, but failed to convert them cleanly around objectives and the map. LØS fought their way back through teamfights and eventually took control after winning around Baron.
In Game 2, LØS built a lead of more than 5,000 gold at one point. TSW still managed to recover and even secure Baron, but Brazil won the decisive fight around the third Drake and closed the series 2-0.
It is also the first win for a Brazilian team in this Worlds Swiss Stage. TSW finish the tournament in 15th-16th place.
Team Liquid Eliminate the LPL Champions
The second elimination was even more surprising. Anyone’s Legend arrived at Worlds as the Chinese champions and the LPL’s first seed, but leave the tournament without a single win. After losses to Karmine Corp and Top Esports, AL also lost their do-or-die series against Team Liquid 0-2.
Game 1 was especially one-sided. Liquid built a lead of more than 14,000 gold, with Brandon Joel “Josedeodo” Villegas on Lee Sin and Camille in the top lane becoming major factors.
Game 2 was much closer. TL once again built a lead, AL fought back, and the series eventually came down to a Dragon fight around the 45-minute mark. Liquid secured Infernal Soul before Sean “Yeon” Sung closed out the final fight.
For AL, it is a brutal ending. Only weeks ago, they beat BLG in the LPL final and arrived as seed one. Now they leave after an 0-3 Swiss record.
T1 and BLG Fight Their Way Back Up
While AL collapse completely, the situation looks much better for two other major names.
T1 defeated CTBC Flying Oyster and now sit at 2-1. The three-time defending champions need only one more win to reach the quarterfinals. Bilibili Gaming have also recovered from the LPL’s poor start and moved to 2-1 after beating Karmine Corp.
That fits the LPL’s overall recovery. China opened the Main Event with a historic 0-4 day, but has since won six of its last eight matches. Alongside BLG, Top Esports and Invictus Gaming are also sitting at 2-1.
The LPL therefore looks much healthier than it did after Day 1 – even if the early elimination of its first seed remains a major blow.
Six Teams Are One Win Away From Quarterfinals
After Round 3, the picture is becoming very clear. Gen.G and Dplus KIA have already qualified. Behind them, six teams sit at 2-1: Top Esports, Invictus Gaming, Bilibili Gaming, T1, Movistar KOI and LYON. One more win sends any of them to the Knockout Stage.
At the same time, six teams are fighting for survival: Hanwha Life Esports, G2 Esports, Karmine Corp, CTBC Flying Oyster, LØS and Team Liquid are all 1-2. One more loss means elimination.
From this point on, there are no more best-of-ones for these teams. Every qualification and elimination match will be played as a best-of-three with Fearless Draft.
G2 vs. HLE Becomes a Brutal Elimination Series
The next draw makes things even more interesting. T1 face Movistar KOI. Invictus Gaming meet LYON. And because Top Esports drew Bilibili Gaming, at least one LPL team is already guaranteed to reach the quarterfinals.
The 1-2 pool is even more brutal. Karmine Corp face CTBC Flying Oyster. Team Liquid meet LØS, meaning either North America’s first seed or Brazil’s champions will be eliminated.
The biggest elimination matchup, however, is probably G2 against Hanwha Life Esports. Europe’s first seed faces the LCK’s second seed and the reigning MSI champions. One of those two names will leave Worlds before the Knockout Stage.
For G2, that would be an especially painful ending after a perfect domestic year. HLE, meanwhile, entered the tournament as one of the clear title favorites and suddenly find themselves with their backs against the wall as well.
Every Series Is Brutal From Here
After three rounds, the Swiss Stage has delivered exactly what the format is supposed to create.
Gen.G and DK confirmed their quality early. China recovered from its terrible start while still losing its first seed. T1 and BLG are once again close to the playoffs. And with G2 against HLE, another major favorite is guaranteed to leave the tournament soon.
There are no easy scenarios left. Win at 2-1, and you are in the quarterfinals. Lose at 1-2, and you are out
That is exactly why the next round may be the most important one at Worlds so far.