The
League of Legends World Championship always brings excitement, but the games themselves are only part of what makes the tournament special. Every year, new narratives emerge around the players and teams taking the stage, and Worlds 2026 will be no different.
From international debuts and long-awaited returns to personal reunions and chances to bounce back from disappointing seasons, each of the four
Play-In teams has something to prove. Here are the biggest storylines to follow as Worlds 2026 gets underway.
KC vs. C9: EU vs. NA opens the competition
Worlds 2026 will open with a familiar rivalry for Western fans, as
and
bring the historic Europe vs. North America battle back to the international stage. The two regions have competed for years, making this matchup about more than a place in the next round: another chance to measure their strength against one another.
Cloud9 are one of North America's most established organizations, returning to Worlds after missing the 2025 edition. Karmine Corp, meanwhile, represents a newer generation of European organizations looking to make their mark on League of Legends' biggest stage. Beyond the regional rivalry, however, the matchup also features personal connections that add another layer of intrigue.
Karmine Corp head coach Bok “
Reapered” Han-gyu will face the organization he spent more than five years with, while
will go up against Karmine Corp
after choosing Cloud9 over the French organization in 2024. Their histories make this more than just another Play-In match, as both will have a chance to show what they bring to their current teams against a familiar opponent.
FURIA vs. MVK: New faces and unfinished business
While the opening matchup between Karmine Corp and Cloud9 brings a historic regional rivalry,
vs.
offers a different storyline: two teams looking to establish themselves on the international stage. Both rosters feature several rookies, making this an early test of how their less experienced players handle Worlds pressure.
For Brazil, the stakes are particularly high. Worlds 2026 marks the first time the CBLOL has sent two representatives to the tournament, with FURIA joining
on the international stage. Having two teams compete at Worlds gives Brazil another opportunity to demonstrate the region's progress against international opposition.
MVK, meanwhile, competed at Worlds once before, in 2024 as Viking Esports.
Their run ended in the Play-In stage against paiN Gaming, one of Brazil's representatives that year. Two years later, MVK will face another Brazilian team, creating an intriguing parallel with their previous Worlds run. This time, they will look to advance further, while FURIA will have the chance to make their own mark on the international stage.
