**LCK and LPL squads dominate expectations for Swiss-stage advancement at Worlds 2026.** Four Korean teams—Gen.G, Hanwha Life Esports, T1, and Dplus KIA—alongside four LPL sides (Anyone’s Legend, Bilibili Gaming, Invictus Gaming, Top Esports) enter the 16-team Swiss stage with the strongest recent regional form and roster depth, positioning them as the clearest favorites to secure three wins before three losses. G2 Esports and the top LCS representatives (Team Liquid Alienware, LYON) carry realistic but lower implied probabilities, while the Play-In winner (drawn from Karmine Corp, Cloud9, MVK Esports, and the second CBLOL seed after today’s finals) faces an immediate disadvantage. The double-elimination Play-In bracket begins October 15 in Los Angeles, with the Swiss stage following October 23–31 in Allen, Texas; the format rewards consistent early results and punishes slow starts, amplifying the impact of recent qualification momentum and regional head-to-head trends.