Esports teams G2 Esports and Karmine Corp have secured their participation in the Worlds 2026 World Championship. By claiming victories in the upper bracket of the playoffs at the Madrid Arena, both rosters guaranteed a top-3 finish. These two teams currently pose the biggest threat to Asian squads, boasting win streaks against LCK and LPL rosters at recent international tournaments.
In Saturday's matches, G2 Esports swept Team Vitality 3-0, snapping their opponent's months-long undefeated streak, although they did face some difficulties in the early stages of the games. Karmine Corp, in turn, confidently defeated GIANTX 3-1, dropping only the second map.
In Sunday's upper bracket final in Madrid, G2 Esports defeated Karmine Corp 3-1. With this victory, G2 claimed a double reward: a direct ticket to the LEC Grand Final taking place on September 20 in Nice, and a guaranteed spot in the Main Stage at Worlds.
Following their defeat, Karmine Corp lost the chance for a quick qualification to the main stage and now risk finishing third overall in the playoffs. In that scenario, the team would be forced to start the World Championship from the Play-In stage in Los Angeles, where a single bad series could result in tournament elimination.
The match served as another chapter in this year's main LEC rivalry. Despite an undefeated regular season, Karmine Corp once again failed to break their BO5 losing streak against G2. However, unlike the two previous finals between these teams this year, which went the full five maps, G2's victory this time was much more decisive.
Regardless of this match's outcome, qualifying for the tournament holds major historical significance for both clubs. For G2 Esports, the upcoming World Championship will be the tenth in the organization's history. Meanwhile, for Karmine Corp, it marks an absolute debut at Worlds, which will also serve as the first competition of this caliber for their young starting players, Caliste and kyeahoo.
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