Invictus Gaming Eliminated Top Esports and Became the First Worlds 2026 Semifinalists
Invictus Gaming has become the first team to qualify for the Worlds 2026 Semifinals. In the first Quarterfinal match of the tournament, the Chinese roster defeated Top Esports with a 3-1 scoreline, eliminating them from the competition.
IG started the series with a dominant performance on the opening map, securing a 27:12 kill score. Top Esports responded in the second game, taking a 20:17 victory to level the series. However, Invictus Gaming quickly regained control, winning the third map 16:9 and closing out the series with a convincing 16:10 win in the fourth game.
JiaQi stood out as a standout performer throughout the series, finishing with an impressive 27/9/27 KDA and 71% kill participation. Following the victory, Rookie commented on the team's resurgence, stating that "IG is back once again."

The Worlds 2026 Knockout Stage features eight teams competing in a single-elimination bracket using the Fearless Draft format. The Semifinals are scheduled for November 7–8, leading up to the Grand Final on November 14 in Brooklyn, New York.