The second most-hyped series of the Worlds 2026 Play-Ins. Cloud9 and FURIA met each other earlier this year. The Brazilian roster won both. For the third time this year, they beat their LCS counterparts. The series started with a bang, but ended with a whimper. Cloud9 barely had any chance after game one. They became the first team eliminated from Worlds.
Worlds 2026: Series Summary
The series started perfectly for C9. They won game one playing their style. FUR read C9’s style for the rest of the series. They drafted for late-game scaling. They knew the LCS third seed would play for Drake Soul. The plan worked to perfection. As FUR took control of the series, C9 capitulated. It was mistake after mistake from every player. No one played well after game one. C9 is the first team eliminated from Worlds 2026.
Player Ratings
Cloud9
Thanatos – 4.8
- Rumble (7), K’Sante (5), Renekton (4), Aatrox (3)
Thanatos was excellent on Rumble. He carried that momentum into game two. He solo-killed Guigo twice. His impact was not felt as his team struggled to find good fights. He tailed off for the rest of the series, failing to impact on two bruiser champions.
Blaber – 3.5
- Qiyana (4), Lee Sin (2), Naafiri (3), Trundle (3)
Blaber looked out of it from the start of the series. His mechanics were not crisp, and his decision-making was poor. He rushed so many plays. He was fighting for nothing most of the time.
Loki – 4.5
- Syndra (5), Sylas (4), Orianna (4), Locke (4)
Another player who did not impact the series. He tried his best early on Locke. However, he made a couple of misplays, and that cost his team. They lost all momentum and lost the series.
Tactical – 3.8
- Lucian (6), Caitlyn (3), Ezreal (3), Ziggs(3)
Tactical had a bright showing on Lucian. There were positive signs. He was playing aggressively, looking to push the game forward. The positives ended there. For the rest of the series, he died out of position for no reason.
Vulcan – 4.3
- Milio (6), Bard (4), Alistar (3), Nautilus (4)
Vulcan tried to impact plays. But he did not have the same magic as against Karmine Corp. The engages were lackluster. The Bard failed. He was not proactive enough to make the champion work.
FURIA
Guigo – 4.5
- Ambessa (3), Olaf (3), Volibear (7), Jax (5)
Another disappointing series for Guigo. Dying twice on Olaf to K’Sante is illegal. He regained his ground with the Volibear counterpick. It was vital to pushing FURIA ahead and garnering control of the series.
Tatu – 5.5
- Jarvan IV (3), Sejuani (6), Cho’Gath (7), Vi (6)
Tatu had an awful start to the series. The engage into the mid-bush put them behind. But he regained his composure for the rest of the series. He drove them forward. Without that performance, he would be the player of the series.
Tutsz – 6.3
- Ahri (5), Akali (7), Viktor (6), Twisted Fate (7)
Tutsz remained solid throughout. The Ahri mechanics could have been better. He outplayed C9 on numerous occasions as Akali, earning them winning plays. He, alongside Tatu, drove them in this series.
Ayu – 6.3 (Total Apex Player of the Series)
- Kalista (5), Yunara (7), Sivir (6), Miss Fortune (7)
With Tatu and Tutsz combining well, Ayu got the space to carry. After they reached the mid-to-late game, Ayu came online. He was far better than Tactical in the series. The Kalista was the only low point, but he still played admirably.
Jojo – 6.3
- Renata Glasc (5), Lulu (7), Karma (7), Rell (6)
JoJo had the most impactful Karma performance of the tournament so far. He garnered vital picks. He kept game one alive with crucial Bailout timings and well-placed Hostile Takeovers.
More LoL Esports Content
More LoL Esports content is coming on Total Apex Media. Below is more coverage.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
