It was a day of upsets / terrible day for the West at the League of Legends World Championships (LoL Worlds) 2026.
LCS champions Team Liquid were eliminated in the Swiss Stage by a 2-1 defeat to CBLOL guest team LOS.
Meanwhile, G2 Esports were stomped 2-0 by LCK giants Hanwha Life Esports (HLE).
It means that three of the four major regions’ first seeds were eliminated in Swiss, after Team Liquid eliminated the LPL champions Anyone’s Legend.
TL and G2 Disappoint
Heading into LoL Worlds this year, there was talk that this was the three strongest teams the LCS had sent in years and was doing so in front of a home crowd.
So it was disappointing for NA fans when Cloud9 crashed out of the Play-Ins after losing to MVK Esports and FURIA.
And it was then a major shock that Liquid continued the trend, losing to the LCP’s CFO and Brazil’s LOS.
Meanwhile, G2 had a tougher draw in Dplus Kia, Top Esports, and HLE, yet the team’s performances were still a major letdown.
After dominating all year, and recording major wins over LCK opposition earlier in the year, G2 suddenly looked lost at Worlds.
There is now just one day left of the Swiss Stage with three spots in the LoL Worlds Knockouts still up for grabs.
Insane Swiss Stage Draw
The draw for the final day of the LoL Worlds Swiss Stage could not have been more dramatic, with three major grudge matches.
Now that Brazil has eliminated the other two North American teams, LOS will look to complete the collection versus LYON.
Meanwhile, despite G2’s elimination, the LEC is guaranteed a team in the Knockouts as Movistar KOI will face Karmine Corp.
The two EMEA teams have been constant rivals throughout the year as the large Spanish and French fan groups have clashed.
And finally, one of the supposed LoL Worlds favourites will be eliminated as HLE will face the LPL’s Bilibili Gaming.
It’s bizarre that both of these teams are in the 2-2 bracket, but HLE appears to be the only one of the two that is now living up to their hype.
Who do you expect to go through to the Knockouts? Share your predictions with us on the Insider Gaming Discord.
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An esports journalist for nine years with a focus on LoL Jack has written for national newspapers, interviewed major names, and driven people mad with puns. He's most proud of…
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