Worlds 2026 Top Esports Preview: Can They Be Trusted?
The countdown to Worlds 2026 has begun. To start the hype for the international event, we are looking at every team in the tournament. It is becoming a broken record at this point. Top Esports arrives at another international event. However, no one is confident they will perform. Even at last year’s Worlds, where they beat Bilibili Gaming and G2 Esports to reach the semi-finals, many were disappointed. They lost resoundingly on their exit. Will TES drop the ball again?
Top Esports’ Roster
- Cheng “ZUIAN” Zihao – Chinese Top Laner
- Gao “Tian” Tianliang – Chinese Jungler
- Lin “Creme” Jian – Chinese Mid Laner
- Yu “JackeyLove” Wenbo – Chinese Bot Laner
- Wang “Zhuo” Xuzhuo – Chinese Support
TES has gone through numerous roster changes this year. Bai “369” Jiahao benched himself during the first Split. Yang “Naiyou” Zijian was found guilty of match-fixing and replaced by Tian. The changes did not end there. TES had two supports before they settled on Zhuo. FU “Hang” Minghang played in Split 1, followed by Wang “fengyue” Runlai in Split 2.
Failing on the International Stage
TES qualified for MSI this year. The tournament started well. They won the first two games against G2 Esports. However, it all went downhill as they suffered a reverse sweep at the hands of the LEC first seed. They then lost to Team Secret Whales, ending their international run. They returned to the regular season with a respectable third-place finish. The playoffs were another disappointment. They lost 3-2 to LDG Gaming and Invictus Gaming. They had to qualify for Worlds through the Regional Finals. Fortunately, they won the rematch against Invictus Gaming.
They have had good international matches. However, their exit often clouds those performances. TES defeated BLG 2-1 in the final Swiss Stage matchup. They then beat G2 Esports in the quarter-finals. They were the only LPL team in the semi-finals. Their 3-0 loss to T1 marred the rest of the tournament. They barely had a sniff of a win. Many believe Anyone’s Legend is the more successful LPL team from the 2025 Worlds. Can they finally put the international chokers moniker to bed?
Key Player – Gao “Tian” Tianliang
The International Choker
Many associate Tian with the international choker moniker. He was there for one of their worst international performances. They missed the Worlds Bracket Stage in 2022. They finished 3rd in the group stage. Their loss to GAM Esports knocked them out. It was a controversial match. JackeyLove’s Maw of Malmortius shield did not block all the damage it should have. As a result, they could not kill the Nexus, and they lost the match.
In the games that they won at MSI, Tian played well. He was crucial in their victory. However, he played a vital role in their downfall. In game three against G2 Esports, he dived G2’s mid tower for a Scuttle Crab. The rest of the tournament went from bad to worse for Tian. Both SkewMond and got the better of Tian. TES will want Tian firing on all cylinders to chase down that elusive Worlds title.
Top Esports’ Expectations
Individually, the TES players can challenge anyone in the world. However, they struggle on the international stage. 2026 Worlds is one of the most competitive tournaments on paper. They might not qualify for the Bracket Stage. All of the Western teams are deadly. Team Secret Whales is another threat that they must deal with. Despite this, everyone should expect them to reach the Bracket Stage.
Swiss Stage Beginnings
They start in the Swiss Stage as one of the Pool 3 teams. They will face a Pool 2 team in Round 1.
Potential Opponents
Bilibili Gaming is the only Pool 2 team they can not face in Round 1. The other three teams are: Hanwha Life Esports, Team Secret, and the CBLOL first seed.
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