Kick-starting on October 15, 2026 League of Legends World Championship will see the international leagues collide to decide the owner of the Summoner’s Cup. In recent years, that trophy has consistently remained within the hands of the LCK since 2022.
South Korea's dominance extends well beyond its domestic league. South Korea represents the most represented nationality at Worlds 2026, fielding 37 players across the 19 competing teams, including the Play-In Stage. This accounts for over one-third of the total player pool.
China, represented by four LPL teams, ranks second with 15 players, followed by Vietnam with 10 and Brazil with 8, both largely fielding entirely domestic rosters.
Korean Midlaners: A Non-Negotiable Ingredient for the Trophy
The mid lane position most clearly illustrates the sheer influence of South Korean players on the international stage. Ever since Lee '
' Sang-hyeok lifted the Summoner's Cup in 2013, every single midlaner to win a World Championship has hailed from South Korea. Even during the LPL's triumphs over the LCK, Korean midlaners stood at the very core: Song '
' Eui-jin, Kim '
' Tae-sang, and Lee '
' Ye-chan.
This year tells a similar story, with 11 out of the 19 qualified teams featuring a South Korean midlaner on their starting roster. Even excluding the four LCK representatives, roughly half of the remaining field relies on a South Korean import in the mid lane.
Contending Without Korean Imports
Only four teams will compete in the Swiss Stage without a single South Korean player on their active roster. The LEC Grand Finals contenders,
and
, serve as the most prominent examples of rosters qualifying for Worlds without Korean imports. Movistar KOI notably accounts for all four Spanish representatives at the tournament, making Spain the most attending EMEA. In the LPL,
features an all-Chinese starting five, while LCP champions
achieved dominance with an all-Vietnamese roster.
In the Play-In Stage, MVK Esports will attempt to qualify for the Swiss Stage with a fully Vietnamese roster, while FURIA, which is not yet clinched their seed for CBLOL with an entirely Brazilian lineup.
Worlds 2026 Player Distribution by Nationality
(Including Play-In Stage)
Country Representation at Worlds 2026. Credit: Liquipedia
- South Korea: 37
- China: 15
- Vietnam: 10
- Brazil: 8
- United States*: 5
- Spain: 4
- France, Taiwan: 3
- Canada, Argentina: 2
- Germany, Denmark, Greece, Poland*, Australia, Italy, Sweden: 1
* Alan '' Cwalina holds dual citizenship; although born in the United States, he will represent Poland at ENC 2027. 
