The 2026
League of Legends World Championship is just around the corner. On Thursday this week,
Karmine Corp and Cloud9 will kick off the 16th edition of esports’ most prestigious competition.
Nineteen teams are on the starting line, all hoping to dethrone three-time defending champions T1 and their living legend, Lee “
” Sang-hyeok, who is back to defend his crown. From October 15 to November 14, nearly 100 players will take to the stage in Los Angeles for the Play-In, in Allen for the Swiss Stage and most of the playoffs, and finally in New York for the tournament’s conclusion. But who are the best players among them?
To answer that question, Sheep Esports gathered votes from 14 experts—analysts, casters, and professional players — across the League of Legends ecosystem, representing the major regions, and asked them to compile a Top 20 of the best players heading into Worlds. The ranking focuses on current form, highlighting the players considered strongest heading into the tournament. It is neither a prediction of tournament results nor a reflection of past Worlds performances.
An expert panel to rank players
To identify the strongest players heading into Worlds 2026, Sheep Esports assembled a panel of League of Legends professionals and experts with extensive Tier 1 knowledge. Panelists were selected from diverse backgrounds to ensure a well-rounded ranking.
Each panelist awarded 20 points to the player they considered the best, 19 points to their second choice, and so on, down to 1 point for their 20th-ranked player.
Sheep Esports then tallied the votes to progressively unveil, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Top 20 players at the 2026
League of Legends World Championship. The full list of panelists’ votes can be found by
clicking this link.
Worlds 2026 Top 20 players panel
- Elias “Upset" Lipp (LEC Player)
- Volodymyr "Maynter" Sorokin (LEC Player)
- Matyáš "Carzzy" Orság (LEC Player)
- Isaac "DARKWINGS" Chou (LCS Player)
- Fahad "Massu" Abdulmalek (LCS Player)
- Kim "Sharvel" Dan-woo (LCK Player)
- John "Skywalk" Wong (LCP Head Coach)
- Eom "UmTi" Seong-hyeon (LKC Analyst)
- Ha "Vincenzo" Seung-min (LCK CL Player)
- Alex "Nymaera" Hapgood (LPL Co-Streamer)
- João "Dionrray" Barbosa (NLC Coach & ex-CBLOL Coach)
- Xiong "XBear" Tianxiao (ex-LPL Player)
- Liu "Mingzai" Ming (ex-LPL Coach)
- Molecule (Analyst)
The Top 20 best players at Worlds 2026
1. Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon (Gen.G) — 273 points
Gen.G's midlaner is regarded almost unanimously by our voters as the best player in the world. Coming off another high-level season, which he capped off by claiming the LCK title, he appears to be back at the peak of his powers ahead of the year's biggest international event. However, all eyes are on him not only because of his performances, but also because of his unfortunate reputation for choking on the international stage. It is now up to him to put that narrative to rest once and for all and prove that he can finally deliver when it matters most.
2. Choi "Zeus" Woo-je (Hanwha Life Esports) — 211 points
A world champion in 2023 and 2024, Zeus is still chasing a third title in the competition — and, more importantly, his first without T1. Having delivered outstandingly consistent performances throughout the season, both when his team was thriving and when it was struggling, he has a strong case for being considered the best player in the world in his role. When his team is firing on all cylinders and he can fully showcase his talent, he can even stake a claim to the title of the world's best player overall. He has rarely disappointed on this stage so far and is undoubtedly one of the players we are most looking forward to watching.
3. Ryu "Keria" Min-seok (T1) — 200 points
Although this has not been his most impressive season in terms of individual performances, Keria remains a constant threat to any team facing T1. Opponents must respect his wide range of champions while remaining wary of the many pocket picks he still has up his sleeve. His champion pool is reflected in the 27 different champions he has played this season alone. He stands out both for his creativity in draft and for what he can bring in-game when given the opportunity. After all, there is a reason he is a three-time world champion.
And happy birthday, btw.
4. Kim "Kiin" Ki-in (Gen.G) — 192 points
Kiin is one of the few toplaners capable of giving Zeus a hard time — and even getting the better of him. With considerable uncertainty surrounding what lies ahead in his career after this season, the Korean toplaner is currently playing the best League of Legends of his career. Like Chovy, he has endured difficult stretches and disappointments at Worlds, but, as has been the case year after year, this could be his best — and perhaps last — opportunity to deliver on the international stage and claim the title.
5. Lee "Tarzan" Seung-yong (Anyone’s Legend) — 184 points
Fresh off winning LPL Split 3 with Anyone’s Legend, Tarzan has maintained a consistently high level of performance throughout the season, despite his team operating at a lower level than last year. Named Regular Season MVP in Split 1 and Finals MVP in Split 3, the Korean jungler has carried his side through the year, even as they missed out on international competition. Their recent LPL victory suggests that the team may have found its stride at just the right time, potentially putting Tarzan back in the spotlight and giving him a chance to redeem himself after bowing out in the quarterfinals last year.
6. Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk (Gen.G) — 183 points
At several points during the season, Gen.G's AD Carry looked as though he was showing his age, no longer displaying the level of play that had made him one of the best in his role in years past. He turned things around in the second half of the season, however, once again asserting his status as one of the game's top players and capping off the split by claiming the LCK Season Finals MVP award. His most recent World Championship campaigns have been marred by deeply disappointing performances at crucial moments, most notably his series against KT Rolster in last year's semifinals. As a result, Ruler has plenty to make up for.
7. Zhuo "Knight" Ding (Bilibili Gaming) — 179 points
Knight has largely dominated his region throughout the season. A regular-season MVP in both Split 2 and Split 3, Finals MVP in Split 2, and winner of First Stand at the start of the year, Knight is enjoying what is undoubtedly one of the finest seasons of his career in terms of individual performance. After reaching the World Championship final in 2024, he and his team endured a 2025 campaign best left forgotten. This year, they will be looking to put that disappointment behind them and deliver a far more convincing run.
8. Kim "Peyz" Su-hwan (T1) — 176 points
T1's young AD Carry is coming off the best season of his career from an individual standpoint, helping his team win a number of games when his teammates were struggling for form. He also set a record for the most pentakills in competitive play at just 20 years old. So far, however, both his international performances and those of his team have exposed certain limitations in their approach, as have their struggles in decisive LCK games. Even so, it is hard to find a better ADC in the hypercarry role right now.
9. Seo "Kanavi" Jin-hyeok (Hanwha Life Esports) — 156 points
Over the last five years, Kanavi has reached the semifinals at three World Championships, yet T1 has stood guard between him and the Summoner's Cup. However, 2026 shifted the rivalry as the jungler tipped the scales in his favor against the Korean powerhouse. Kanavi currently possesses a four-series winning streak against T1, two of these victories coming at the recent 2026 LCK Season Playoffs. The Korean jungler's fast-paced style was a key factor in the recent MSI victory, and HLE will heavily rely on Kanavi's creativity and precise pathing to lead the team to its first World Championship.
10. Kim "Zeka" Geon-woo (Hanwha Life Esports) — 148 points
Ever since his meteoric rise to stardom following his iconic performance at Worlds 2022, Zeka has fought to be included in the pantheon of great LCK midlaners. Zeka has crafted impressive performances at other international events with HLE, but it never seems to click at Worlds. However, the mid laner seems unstoppable, especially after this year's Mid-Season Invitational victory. A decade has passed since the MSI winner also conquered Worlds, and after seemingly fixing his allegedly glaring weakness, his champion pool, Zeka is in a great position. If HLE wants to reach further than the quarterfinals, they'll need the midlaner's best form.
11. Park "Viper" Do-hyeon (Bilibili Gaming) — 136 points
In his first year back in the LPL, Viper played a significant role in BLG's resurgence. He remained consistent throughout the season, operating in a somewhat more secondary carry role given the strength of his solo laners. This role proved well suited to the team's overall structure, as BLG went on to win two LPL titles as well as First Stand earlier in the year. However, his performance in the MSI final remains open to criticism, and some observers believe he is no longer playing at the level he displayed in previous years.
12. Kim "Canyon" Gun-boo (Gen.G)— 136 points
Much like Ruler, whose performances were discussed earlier, the 2020 World Champion jungler has had a few moments this year that raised questions about his form. After winning the LCK Cup Finals MVP award at the beginning of the year, he took a more understated role throughout the season, occasionally falling short of expectations before rediscovering his form towards the end of the year. His resurgence during the playoffs proved instrumental in Gen.G's comeback and eventual title victory. Like his teammates, Canyon has faced criticism for his performances at recent editions of Worlds and will be looking to redeem himself alongside them.
*Viper and Canyon received the same total number of points, but Viper got the better best ranking.
13. Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyung (Hanwha Life Esports) — 100 points
Also a three-time World Champion and the most recent recipient of the Worlds Finals MVP award, Gumayusi will defend his title under different colours this year. He quickly recovered from a disappointing start to the season and has settled into a secondary carry role at Hanwha Life Esports, stepping up when it matters most, as he notably did in the MSI final. However, when left too isolated, he has a tendency to die more often than he should, which can quickly put him behind and significantly reduce the impact he is capable of having on the game.
14. Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok (T1) — 95 points
As the most decorated player in the tournament's history and a three-time champion across the last three editions, Faker has earned a level of trust that makes it difficult, if not impossible, to doubt his ability to perform when Worlds comes around, regardless of how underwhelming or open to criticism his season may have been. He even found a solid rhythm during the second half of the LCK season, although this improvement was not fully reflected in T1's results. He is bound to have an impact whenever he is given the freedom to move around the map and create opportunities for his team, particularly for a bot lane that knows how to capitalise on the openings he creates.
15. Luo "ON" Wenjun (Bilibili Gaming) — 82 points
Bilibili Gaming’s support has come close to winning everything this year, following in the footsteps of the teammates mentioned above. He continues to stand out for his creativity and signature picks whenever he is given the opportunity to showcase them. He was notably one of the first players to bring Camille back into the support meta at the beginning of the year, while also delivering strong performances on Shen. His season stands in stark contrast to last year's, when he struggled at Worlds alongside the rest of his team. He will therefore be looking to make amends for his previous mistakes.
16. Heo "ShowMaker" Su (Dplus KIA) — 73 points
Dplus Kia’s midlaner is making his return to Worlds after missing last year’s edition. Having lifted the trophy in 2020, he has nonetheless failed to reach the knockout stage since 2022. With a younger roster than in previous years, he can once again set his sights on a deep run. The team also made a statement at the Esports World Cup, showing that they were not to be underestimated. Despite a dip in form during the playoffs, the orchestrator of a team that has delivered consistently solid performances faces a tough challenge if he is to replicate that success on the biggest international stage.
17. Kim "Kael" Jin-hong (Anyone’s Legend) — 66 points
Anyone’s Legend’s support has been another key asset for the team in recent months. He makes Tarzan’s job considerably easier, even if his laning phase is not always particularly impressive. His qualities are well established, and he has demonstrated them on several occasions internationally, proving himself capable of adapting to different metas. His name may not yet carry the same weight as those of the supports ranked above him, but this tournament could provide the perfect opportunity to change that and establish himself among the world's best players.
18. Chen "Bin" Zebin (Bilibili Gaming) — 51 points
Bilibili Gaming’s toplaner has shown two distinct sides of his game since the beginning of the year. The first is that of a player capable of dominating his lane, carrying his team on his shoulders and making the difference against the world's best toplaners. The second is that of a player whose attitude can be frustrating, who occasionally disappoints in crucial matches and whose behaviour can create problems within the team. Matters reached such a point that Li “Flandre” Xuanjun had to be brought in to replace him at one stage. For the sake of his legacy, he will hope that the former version of himself is the one who shows up at Worlds.
19. Yu "Delight" Hwan-jung (Hanwha Life Esports) — 45 points
Long criticised and frequently singled out as HLE's weak link, the team's support deserves recognition for the undeniable qualities he brings to the roster. When given engage champions, few supports in the world can have as much of an impact as he does. He also enjoys excellent synergy with Kanavi, although some of his mistakes can prove costly, whether through getting caught at crucial moments or making questionable positioning decisions. Nevertheless, when he and his jungler are in form, they can be among the team's main sources of momentum.
20. Rasmus "Caps" Winther (G2 Esports) — 43 points
Caps has once again been one of the standout performers of the season. Having won all three LEC titles, reached the First Stand final and finished in the top four at MSI, he is once again ready to challenge the world's best teams, this time with teammates who have raised their usual standards on the international stage. In the year of his induction into the Hall of Legends, his story would be all the more remarkable if he finally claimed the title he has pursued ever since losing back-to-back World Championship finals in 2018 and 2019. Time is running out, and this could be his best, or perhaps his last, opportunity to lift the trophy.
League of Legends Worlds 2026: Top 20 Players. Credit: Sheep Esports
The panelists’ votes
Panelists' votes. Credit: Sheep Esports
Honorable mentions: Xun (BLG, #21), Lucid (DK, #22), Oner (T1, #23), Duro (GEN, #24), Inspired (LYON, #25), Smash (DK, #26), BrokenBlade (G2, #27), Labrov (G2, #28), Breathe (AL, #29) and Siwoo (DK, #30).
