**Eastern teams from the LCK and LPL continue to hold a decisive edge over Western squads heading into Worlds 2026.** Trader pricing reflects this structural gap, with LCK implied probabilities near 66-67% and LPL around 24-25% to produce the champion, while LEC sits at roughly 6% and LCS near 3%. Recent international results reinforce the divide. Hanwha Life Esports captured MSI 2026, with Bilibili Gaming reaching the final; G2 Esports advanced to the semifinals as the top Western performer but fell short against Eastern opposition. Head-to-head records show LEC teams winning only about 36% of games versus LCK/LPL sides in recent events, with LCS squads performing even lower. Global Elo rankings place multiple Korean and Chinese rosters (Gen.G, HLE, BLG, T1) at the top, ahead of G2 and LYON, with regional strength modifiers widening the separation. Roster depth and consistency further favor the East. LCK and LPL squads feature multiple players ranked among the world's best in their roles, backed by stronger talent pipelines and proven international experience. Western lineups, including G2's Caps-SkewMond core or LCS standouts like LYON, show flashes of competitiveness in regional play and occasional upsets but lack the sustained execution needed across a multi-week bracket. Historical patterns confirm the trend: no Western team has lifted the Summoner's Cup in years, and recent MSI/First Stand/EWC results show limited progress closing the gap. Worlds 2026's North American hosting and the Swiss-to-knockout format offer minor advantages for adaptation or rest, yet these factors have not historically overcome the talent and form disparity. Late roster changes or meta shifts could create variance, but current pricing embeds the established hierarchy of regional power.