Worlds 2026 Anyone’s Legend Preview: A Surprise Package That Won Against the Odds
The countdown to Worlds 2026 has begun. To start the hype for the international event, we are looking at every team in the tournament. Anyone’s Legend surprised everyone in the Grand Final. They beat a dominant Bilibili Gaming 3-1 to win the LPL championship and earn the first seed. That win raised more questions about both teams. Will they maintain their form as the best LPL team, or will Bilibili Gaming regain their throne?
Anyone’s Legend’s Roster
- Chen “Breathe” Chen – Chinese Top Laner
- Lee “Tarzan” Seung-yong – Korean Jungler
- Cui “Shanks” Xiaojun – Chinese Mid Laner
- Wang “Hope” Jie – Chinese Bot Laner
- Kim “Kael” Jin-hong – Korean Support
At the start of the year, they lost their head coach, Wong “Tabe” Pak Kan, to JD Gaming. They brought in Kwon “Helper” Young-jae from Gen.G Esports for Split 1. After failing to reach the First Stand, they appointed Fu “BigWei” Chien-wei. After more struggles, Li “Flandre” Xuanhun left for Bilibili Gaming. They brought Breathe in as his replacement.
Was the Grand Finals a Fluke?
At times last year, AL was the best team in the LPL. They won Split 2 and pushed both Gen.G Esports and T1 to five games at MSI. They tailed off in Split 3, but returned at Worlds. They were the favorites heading into the Bracket Stage, but T1 beat them. After losing Tabe at the start of the year, they struggled to reach the same heights. They finished first in Split 1 Regular Season but didn’t convert that form into a playoff run. After losing to JD Gaming and Weibo Gaming, they finished fourth.
Split 2 was even worse. They barely scraped through the Regular Season. They lost in the same positions, this time to Team WE and Bilibili Gaming, finishing fourth again. They finished second in the Split 3 Regular Season. They lost handily to BLG in the Upper Bracket Final. They surprised everyone in the Grand Final. Only Team WE had beaten BLG in a best-of-five series in the LPL. They dominated the match, winning 3-1. That leaves them as the first seed, but are they the best team in the LPL?
Key Player – Lee “Tarzan” Seung-yong
Tactical Genius
Tarzan is the vital piece to the puzzle. He was the catalyst for their victory. He dominated the jungle role, beating XUN in all but one game. It was one of the best series performances of his career. He had to deliver that level of performance for them to win. They will need more of the same from Tarzan if they want to chase the trophy. Expecting that to happen in every series is unlikely.
They do not have a weak roster. However, they lack the firepower. Tarzan is the only player on the roster who outperforms everyone in his role. He might not be as flashy as Canyon, or as aggressive as Kanavi, but he is smart. He knows exactly what his team needs to win. That will be key at Worlds.
Anyone’s Legend’s Expectations
Despite being the first seed, they are not one of the favorites. Their win was a surprise. Considering them as favorites downplays the victory. BLG should still be the best LPL team. However, the result raises questions about the LPL. Can they compete with the LCK? They delivered at the previous Worlds. Expectations were higher for the roster with Tabe as their coach. They should reach the Bracket Stage. However, with the LCS and LEC rising, they can not afford to take it easy.
Swiss Stage Beginnings
Winning LPL earned them the first seed. They will join Gen.G Esports, G2 Esports, and the LCS first seed in Pool 1. Their first-round opponent is from Pool 4.
Potential Opponents
They will face either CTBC Flying Oyster, Dplus KIA, or the CBLOL second seed. They cannot face Invictus Gaming, as they both come from the LPL.
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