The League of Legends 2026 Mid-Season Invitational will officially kick off in roughly two weeks. Currently, seven teams from various global regions have already qualified for the MSI. In our region, after TES secured their spot, only one slot is left. The victor of the BLG vs. WE match will accompany TES to the event. Having learned from their earlier defeat, BLG is now brimming with confidence, and both the coaches and players are convinced they can beat WE handily.

Coach Daeny mentioned in an interview: "We've already briefed the players on WE's playstyle. In our last matchup, we could have won games three and four, but we weren't cautious enough in some areas." ON also stated: "As long as we focus on our own game and avoid getting overaggressive, beating WE will still be quite easy." Honestly, WE's current strategy seems to have been figured out, making it extremely difficult for them to topple BLG again.

WE climbs into the top four in World Championship points

With only two BO5 series left in the second split playoffs, the World Championship points for each team have been updated. TES, guaranteed at least second place, earns a minimum of 80 points this split—combined with their 10 points from the first split, they total 90 points, ranking second. BLG, which won the first split and made the top three in the second, now has a guaranteed 130 points, sitting atop the points leaderboard.

WE is guaranteed at least third place in this split, but with only 5 points from the first split, their total is 55 points, putting them in fourth. The three teams above them still have room to improve, while the remaining teams are effectively locked in. JDG sits third with 65 points, AL is fifth with 50, and Weibo has 40 points. Everyone else is at 15 points or below. The 40-point mark serves as a threshold—Weibo should secure at least a spot in the Regional Qualifiers next split.

Liu Qingsong reveals his return for the third split

After the Ascension Road Summit group teams suffered upsets and missed the playoffs, many teams are expected to undergo roster adjustments next split. Recently, a screenshot circulated online showing "Aixiao" saying there would be roster changes after EWC, but esports insider "Red Tea" dismissed it as fake. AL's plan for the next split is to stick with their current lineup and continue improving, while exploring potential upgrades during the transfer period.

In other words, the coaching staff might change, but the players likely won't. Meanwhile, Liu Qingsong, who has been on break for two splits, recently revealed during a livestream: "I've talked to several teams recently—some in the Summit group, some in Nirvana—but nothing is set. However, the chances of me returning are high. If I do come back, I'll probably choose a Nirvana team. Teams like TT, LGD, and EDG in the Summit group don't have World Championship potential—I might as well go back to Weibo."

Faker makes the *Time* 100 list

Recently, *Time* magazine unveiled its 2026 list of the 100 most influential people in sports, and Faker earned a spot thanks to his impact. In this issue, they described him as "the greatest esports player of all time, nicknamed the 'Unkillable Demon King.'" He and T1 have set a record of six championship titles, including three consecutive World Championships. Since childhood, Faker dreamed of conquering video games—and he did.

Just reading these praises may not fully convey Faker's significance in this *Time* list. To put it simply: among the 100 sports starsselected, only Faker comes from a non-traditional sports field, while the rest are well-known figures in football, basketball, and other traditional sports. The fact that Faker made the list through esports is astonishing, considering that traditional sports have always looked down on esports.

Conclusion:

If Liu Qingsong returns, it seems his only options are Weibo or one of the three Nirvana teams in the Summit group. Teams like LGD don't have the strength to compete for a World Championship spot—if he joins them, his legacy might suffer. Weibo has potential and is in dire need of a support player. Liu Qingsong pairing up with ELK might yield some results, especially since he has played for Weibo before.

So, where do you think "Si Shao" will end up?

Feel free to leave a comment and discuss!