LoL - Worlds 2025: KT-CFO, only one curse can break

The second quarterfinal of Worlds 2025 will write a new chapter in League of Legends history. KT Rolster and CTBC Flying Oyster enter the Summoner’s Rift this Wednesday, October 29, chasing a first-ever semifinal apparition for both organizations. The pearl of the pacific is facing a team which is often capable of the best and the worst. The Korean powerhouse has the chance to make a name for its own and break their quarterfinal curse as they face the emperor of the LCP in a first-time clash that embodies their contrasting journeys this year.

KT Rolster’s story at this tournament is one of survival. They reached the playoffs with a perfect 3–0 record, showing great consistency and strong teamwork against weaker opponents. CFO, on the other hand qualified being 3-2, after facing tougher opponents and struggling across three best-of-three. They proved that their region can stand against major leagues. Two different paths will meet on the same stage, with a semifinal spot on the line.

Neither KT nor CFO have real international experience at this stage of Worlds. This is the first quarterfinal appearance for CFO, marking a new step in their history, but also the first time a LCP team qualify to this stage of the tournament since 2015. The entirety of their players are discovering the pressure and rhythm of an international best-of-five for the first time. Shen "Driver" Tsung-Hua, Tsai "HongQ" Ming-Hong and Chiu "Doggo" Tzu-Chuan are even experiencing Worlds for the first time, the latter having only played Play-In matches back in 2021 with PSG Talon.

For the Korean third seed, this is their fourth appearance in quarters at Worlds. However, this is also a stage they have never managed to go through. Eliminated by the KOO Tigers in 2015, by Invictus Gaming in 2018, and JD Gaming in 2023, they face for the first time an opponent that may seem in their range, and can dream to break the curse. For two of their players, toplaner Lee "PerfecT" Seung-min and support Jeong "Peter" Yoon-su, this is also a new stage of competition, as both are playing at Worlds for the first time.

Only a few players in this matchup bring real international experience. Moon "Cuzz" Woo-chan and Gwak "Bdd" Bo-seong have already played together at this stage in the past, back in 2017 with Longzhu Gaming and again at Worlds 2023 with KT Rolster. Bdd even managed to climb in semifinals with Gen.G back in 2021 before falling to EDward Gaming. Both know the expectations of a knockout series and how thin the margin for error becomes. On the CFO side, Yu "JunJia" Chun-Chia stands out as the team’s most experienced player on big stages, having represented his region at multiple MSI and Worlds tournaments with PSG Talon That difference in experience may play a role once nerves and adaptation start to matter more in a longer series.

This year, KT’s path to the quarterfinals was one of control and stability. The LCK team finished the Swiss Stage undefeated with a 3–0 record, showing a solid game plan and consistency against Movistar KOI, Team Secret Whales and Top Esports. Their core strength came from the mid-jungle duo of Bdd and Cuzz, who dictated the pace of the early game and built the foundation for KT’s macro decisions. Seo "deokdam" Dae-gil, who entered the tournament with low expectations, surprised many with strong laning and clean teamfighting, becoming one of KT’s most reliable players across the stage.

CFO reached this stage through a more difficult path, relying on strong early pressure and aggressive plays. The LCP champions defeated Fnatic, T1, and FlyQuest, but faced close losses against Hanwha Life Esports and Anyone’s Legend. They secured their spot in the quarterfinals with confident wins built around JunJia’s early-game control and Doggo’s carry performances. Their ability to strike hard in the first minutes has made them a threat, even against teams they lost to in best-of-ones. In addition, CFO benefit from international experience at both the First Stand and the MSI, as well as from playing all five rounds of the Swiss Stage, giving them more exposure to LCK and LPL teams this year.

Player matchups will define the tone of this quarterfinal. The confrontation between Bdd and Cuzz on one side, and HongQ and JunJia on the other, will largely decide which team gets early map control. Both duos play around mid priority, meaning the outcome of that matchup could heavily influence the flow of each game. If KT can slow down CFO’s first 15 minutes, their stronger midgame rotations could take over. Conversely, if CFO secure early control, they have enough momentum to pressure KT into mistakes.

The botlane duel between Doggo and Deokdam is also especially hyped. Doggo has been CFO’s main win condition in the tournament, carrying several of their victories through individual early plays and confident teamfights. His Draven has been shocking T1 and FlyQuest already. deokdam, meanwhile, has surprisingly been one of KT’s consistent carry threats, pairing efficiently with Peter to neutralize aggressive lanes. Their head-to-head will likely determine which side maintains tempo in side objectives and teamfights.