The first two teams into the League of Legends Worlds 2026 quarterfinals are both from Korea, and neither dropped a series to get there. Dplus KIA and Gen.G each finished the Swiss Stage with a perfect 3-0 record yesterday at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas.
DK got there first, and the official LoL Esports account marked the moment right away.
DK's Perfect Run
DK's path through the Swiss Stage was anything but easy. The team opened with a win over Europe's G2 Esports, then took down T1, the three-time defending world champions, in round two. That set up a best-of-three against Movistar KOI with a quarterfinal spot on the line, and DK closed it out 2-0.
The run makes DK the first team to qualify for the knockout stage. It also continues a strong year for the roster, which won the Esports World Cup 2026 earlier this year and arrived in Texas as one of the favorites. DK's Smash added a highlight of his own during the event by recording the first pentakill of Worlds 2026.
Gen.G Survives A Scare From LYON
Gen.G's road ended in a much tighter finish. After wins over China's Invictus Gaming and fellow LCK team Hanwha Life Esports, Gen.G met LYON, the second seed from the LCS, in its own best-of-three for qualification.
LYON came out swinging and took game one, with Inspired's Xin Zhao engages giving Gen.G trouble. Gen.G responded to tie the series and then won a chaotic game three to complete its own 3-0 run.
Taking a game off Gen.G is a big result for the LCS in a home Worlds, and LYON still has plenty to play for. The team drops into the 2-1 pool with another chance to qualify.
How The Swiss Stage Works
Sixteen teams entered the Swiss Stage, with teams matched against opponents who have the same record each round. The first eight teams to reach three wins advance to the knockout stage, and teams that lose three times are eliminated. Matches that decide advancement or elimination are played as best-of-threes.
That format means a 3-0 team has to beat three opponents who were all winning too, which is part of why the perfect runs from DK and Gen.G stand out.
Where The Rest Of The Field Stands
With DK and Gen.G through, the race for the other six quarterfinal spots is wide open. Movistar KOI and LYON will try again from 2-1. T1, led by Faker as the team chases a fourth straight world title, sits at 1-1 and faces CFO next. Karmine Corp and Hanwha Life Esports are both at 1-2, which means one more loss would end their tournaments.
The LCK has every reason to feel good right now, with two of its teams already through before anyone else. Hanwha Life's 1-2 record is the biggest surprise among the Korean teams, and its next match will be one of the most watched of the round.
What Comes Next
The Swiss Stage continues in Allen until all eight knockout teams are set. The quarterfinals and semifinals will also be played in Allen as best-of-five series, before the tournament moves to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the Grand Final on November 14.
DK and Gen.G now get a break while the rest of the field fights it out, which gives both teams extra time to prepare for opponents who will be coming off pressure-filled elimination matches.
Do you think DK or Gen.G is more likely to make a deep run at Worlds 2026, or will T1 fight its way back into the conversation for a fourth straight title?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.