EMEA teams dominate the first half of WSCI Group Stage

The ongoing Group Stage of the World Star Challengers Invitational, a global Tier 2 tournament, is turning out to be interesting. Through EMEA's strong form and an unexpected struggle from LCK CL teams, the title race has become completely unpredictable. Atfer Day 3 of the tournament, which marks the first half of the Group Stage, teams from Europe have yet to lose a single game to other regions.

The performance of the EMEA teams has caught everyone's attention. Except for matches between and , he two best teams dominating both the LFL and EMEA Masters this year, EMEA teams haven't lost a single match against other regions. , the academy team of Movistar KOI, won all four of their games and became the first team to lock in a spot in the Knockout Stage. This run included a win over , the runners-up of LCK CL 2026. The Spanish team is in top form, having not lost a single match since the Summer Split started.

Even though the Group Stage isn't over yet, the strong showing from these European teams looks great for the upcoming matches. Building on their EMEA Masters Winter success, Galions and Solary previously beat LEC teams during the Esports World Cup EMEA Qualifiers earlier this year.

Because of those results, fans are watching closely which players from the ERLs could promote into LEC teams during the offseason. While LEC Commissioner Artem Bykov commented about 2027 season, focusing on core LEC teams without bringing back LEC Versus, crucial roster moves are already happening, like Jerabek '' Adam moving to Team Heretics and Pyun '' Joseph extending his contract with Movistar KOI. Teams now face big choices for their remaining spots, deciding between proven veterans from LEC and rising talent from ERLs.

Since 2024, LCK CL completely dominated Asia Star Challengers Invitational, Asia’s Tier 2 event. In 2024, the Korean league didn't lose a single match against other regions, and in 2025, every match from the Breakout Stage to the Grand Final was an all-Korean civil war. Right before MSI at Asia Masters 2026, LCK CL swept all four Knockout Stage spots without dropping a single game.

Expected to be the strongest region coming into this tournament, the Korean teams struggled right from day one. , the 2026 LCK CL champions, suffered a shocking opening-day loss to team. KT Rolster Challengers also lost to Movistar KOI Fénix, who qualified through the EMEA Qualifiers. While T1 Esports Academy got revenge in their rematch against EDG Youth Team, took a heavy loss against Latin American team .

LCK Challengers League regularly sends rookies to Tier 1 leagues around the world, and this year, every team went through a massive rebuild using players from the Academy Series. Because of that, most LCK CL players at the WSCI are among the youngest in the tournament, sometimes showing their lack of experience on stage.

The WSCI Group Stage runs through Friday, September 25, with the top two teams from each group making it to the Knockout Stage. With half of the matches now played, LCK CL and EMEA teams hold the upper spots in the standings. At the same time, whether teams from other regions, including China's LDL, which ran without a regular league this year, can make it through to the Knockout Stage is an important match point. After picking up two wins on the opening day, EDG Youth Team suffered back-to-back losses on Tuesday and now has to win the remaining matches for tournaments. and ZSK are also in danger of an early exit depending on how the leading teams perform.

Meanwhile, from Circuito Desafiante and from the NACL are battling for second place in Group C, where lead the standings. LJL representative is in a tough spot, as they still have to face group leader Dplus KIA Challengers twice in their remaining games.