With only 14 days until the start of the 2026 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational, the MSI qualifications across the six eligible regions are almost all set. In the latest LCK match day, GEN swept KT 3-0 in the lower bracket's third round, securing a spot in the lower bracket final against T1. The victor of that clash will earn the second MSI berth.

I was hoping KT would upset GEN to give Faker a boost, but BDD crumbled under pressure and was outplayed by Chovy. Now the lower bracket final comes down to raw strength. Given T1's performance in the winners' bracket final, it feels like this year's MSI might be out of reach again. Faker could end up like WE—selling tickets and handing out two consecutive passes. But in esports, comebacks from the brink are common, so let's stay hopeful.

The LCS spring split is also almost over, with just one match remaining. TL swept C9 3-0 to reach the finals and secure North America's second MSI slot. CoreJJ is truly incredible—still leading his team to the Mid-Season Invitational at 32 years old. TL's roster this year features many familiar faces: besides CoreJJ, there's Morgan and Quid, who helped 100T upset BLG last year.

With TL advancing to MSI, only one slot remains. The winner of the T1 vs. GEN match will claim it. Of the 10 teams that have already qualified—excluding LPL and LCS—the seed orders are all determined. G2 (Europe), TSW (Vietnam), and FURIA (Brazil) are champions of their respective second splits, making them all first seeds who advance directly to the knockout stage.

The LCK has no champion this split, but HLE won the winners' bracket final, so they are also a first seed. In our region (LPL), the seed order is not yet set, but it doesn't matter much. Thanks to BLG's First Stand championship perk—where the second seed directly enters the main event—both BLG and TES will start from the knockout stage. These six teams go straight to the main event; the rest, including LCS teams, still need to compete.

Europe's KC and the provincial team DCG were runners-up in their second splits, making them second seeds that must start from the play-in stage. The winner of T1 vs. GEN will also be a second seed. The final play-in and main event spots will be decided between LYON and TL: the team that wins the spring championship becomes the first seed, while the other becomes the second seed. Barring surprises, LYON should win the final, as they are far stronger.

This year's MSI play-in competition is fiercer than ever. Out of four teams, only one will advance to the main event. That spot will likely go to the LCK's second seed. Whether T1 or GEN qualifies, both are head and shoulders above the other play-in teams. The play-in uses a double-elimination BO5 format, where a team is only eliminated after two losses, making it almost impossible for an LCK team to falter.

The main event also uses a double-elimination BO5 format, and the championship's prestige matches last year's. Since the tournament is held in Korea, the viewing times should be relatively friendly for LPL audiences. Matches involving LCK, LPL, and LCP regions will be scheduled earlier. I hope BLG and TES can bring home the trophy, because if two LCK teams meet in the finals again like last year, it might dampen viewer enthusiasm.

Conclusion:

T1 currently faces an uphill battle against GEN. Faker will struggle to gain an advantage over Chovy in the mid lane. Unless Doran (top) and Peyz (bot) step up, T1 might be swept. However, T1 has a history of surprising fans when backed into a corner. Perhaps Doran can outplay Kiin and lead the team to MSI.

So, what do you think are T1's chances of winning?

Feel free to leave your comments below!