LoL - LEC: Fnatic qualify for their ninth Worlds in a row

A page in Europe’s history has just been written. By defeating Karmine Corp 3-1 on Friday, Fnatic have qualified for the 13th Worlds in the organization’s history. In the roaring and hostile atmosphere of Madrid’s Caja Mágica, the Black and Orange put on their best series of the year to secure their ticket. They will now face Movistar KOI this Saturday, with the pressure of qualification already behind them.

Karmine Corp, on the other hand, have reached the end of their season. For the second year in a row, they fall short in their quest for a first Worlds qualification. Despite high expectations surrounding their roster, the Blue Wall once again stumbled at the final hurdle. After winning the Winter Split earlier this year, Karmine Corp end 2025 with a fourth place and a heartbreaking failure just one best-of-five away from the international stage.

Fnatic continue to expand their legacy. Since their creation in 2011, the Black and Orange have remained one of the pillars of competitive League of Legends, embodying European presence on the world stage. Despite ups and downs over the years, this organization has still managed to qualify to Worlds in 13 of the 15 editions held so far.

Their 2025 season had been marked by frustrations, as they failed to reach a single LEC final across all three splits. Yet, when it mattered most, Fnatic delivered. With a revamped roster that mixed experience and new blood, the team found the decisive edge in Madrid. One of the heroes of the series has been Óscar “Oscarinin” Muñoz, who grew into one of the most reliable toplaners in Europe, completely gapping Kim "Canna" Chang-dong today. His calm consistency acted as a backbone for the team, while Elias “Upset” Lipp had one of his most complete series of the year against Karmine Corp. Meanwhile, Yoon “Poby” Sung-won, who joined this summer, proved why Fnatic entrusted him with a starting spot.

For Upset, whose contract expires at the end of this season, this Worlds qualification could also be pivotal in shaping his future. Ahead of the match, he had shared: “I would be happy to keep playing for Fnatic.” That statement now carries more weight as the team prepares for an international run where he will be one of its leaders.

It is a bitter end for Karmine Corp. Founded at the end of 2020 by Kamel "Kameto" Kebir, the organization has risen faster than any other in Europe, winning five LFL titles and four EMEA Masters trophies before finally securing its first LEC title in Winter 2025. But once again, Worlds qualification escaped them at the last moment.

Individually, the team remains immensely talented. Caliste "Caliste" Henry-Hennebert has been a sensation in his rookie year, winning the rookie of the year award right before the series, earning universal praise and establishing himself as one of Europe’s brightest prospects. Meanwhile, Martin 'Yike' Sundelin, who will miss Worlds for the first time since his promotion to the LEC, and Kim 'Canna' Chang-dong provided veteran presence and international pedigree. But on the day, the team collectively failed to perform. The Blue Wall was largely suffocated by the anti-Karmine Corp strategy deployed by Fnatic.

This will be a harsh offseason for Karmine Corp, who had set Worlds qualification as a clear objective for 2025. Ending with nothing but Winter’s domestic title leaves a bitter aftertaste, and raises questions about what changes will come.