T1’s inconsistent 2026 LCK campaign, including an early playoff exit and failure to reach the league finals, has positioned the team as the region’s third seed for the upcoming World Championship. Strong domestic rivals such as Gen.G and Hanwha Life Esports have dominated the regular season and playoffs, limiting T1’s momentum heading into the international event. The squad posted an early MSI exit after a lower-bracket loss to G2 and showed execution lapses in recent best-of-fives, despite Faker maintaining solid individual statistics across roles. As the oldest active player in his eleventh Worlds appearance, Faker faces a tougher bracket draw and deeper field, with traders viewing a fourth consecutive title as unlikely given the current form and seeding.