HLE's Kanavi and Zeka Set Their Sights on LPL Rivals at Worlds 2026
Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) left for the United States on October 19 to compete in the 2026 League of Legends World Championship, and their players used the airport send-off to talk about the opponents they hope to meet. In separate interviews with Korean outlet kukinews, jungler Kanavi and mid laner Zeka each picked LPL (China’s top league) teams as their dream matchups, while bot laner Gumayusi pointed to his former club, T1, as the team he is most eager to face.
Kanavi, who previously starred in the LPL, said he wants to test himself against Anyone’s Legend (AL), the team that arrives at Worlds as LPL champions. “This time, AL are coming in as LPL champions, so I really want to play them once,” he said. He also named Bilibili Gaming’s jungler Xun as the individual he most wants to meet, recalling their encounter at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) and saying he would like a rematch.
Zeka, HLE’s mid laner, chose Invictus Gaming (iG) as the team he wants to face, simply because he has never met them on the international stage. “I haven’t faced iG at an international tournament yet, so I’d like to play them once,” he said. Zeka also reflected on his personal history at Worlds: his first career title came at the 2022 World Championship in the United States, and returning four years later he hopes to show an even better version of himself and lift the trophy again.
Gumayusi, meanwhile, focused on T1, the organization he represented before joining HLE. Asked which team he is most wary of and most wants to face, he did not hesitate: “At Worlds, T1 are still the team you look forward to, stay wary of, and want to meet. It has that special matchup flavor.” His answer sets up a potential storyline if the two Korean giants cross paths in the Swiss stage or beyond.
The interviews underline how much the LPL’s top teams are on the minds of Korean players this year. AL’s domestic title has earned them respect, and BLG’s Xun remains a benchmark for junglers. With the Swiss stage about to begin, those cross-region matchups could become some of the tournament’s most anticipated games.
HLE’s send-off comes as the play-in stage reaches its climax. On October 18, the tournament released a promo for the fourth day of the play-in, highlighting the deciding match between KC and MVK for the last spot in the Swiss stage. The winner will join the main field, where HLE and the LPL contenders await.
Beyond the rift, the broader League scene is in flux. Reports suggest KT Rolster are close to signing BFX jungler Raptor and bot laners Taeyoon and Kellin for the 2027 season, while a media personality recently argued that the LPL still has the money and talent to remain the second-strongest region. For now, though, all eyes are on the United States, where HLE’s stars will get their chance to back up their words.