Invictus Gaming beat compatriot Top Esports 3-1 in the all-LPL quarterfinal at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center on November 3, becoming the first team into the Worlds 2026 semifinals, according to Esports.net.
IG, the LPL's fourth seed, last reached a Worlds semifinal in 2019, when it finished tied for 3rd-4th. The team placed 17th at Worlds 2025. Top laner TheShy and mid laner Rookie won Worlds together in 2018.
Top Esports entered as the LPL's third seed. The two teams had met twice in best-of-fives in September. IG won 3-2 in the LPL Split 3 playoffs on September 5, and TES won 3-1 in the LPL Regional Finals on September 17.
TES played without starting top laner Cheng "ZUIAN" Zihao, who had visa problems. Bai "369" Jia-Hao played the whole tournament as a late stand-in.
IG's semifinal opponent will be either LCK side Gen.G or North America's LYON. Their quarterfinal was set for November 4.
Semifinals and the final are scheduled in Allen and Brooklyn. The final is set for Saturday, November 14 at 2 PM EST.