Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage Day 5: JiaQi, Oner and Doran shine as IG's throwback run grows

HONOR ROLL: Zi “JiaQi” Jia-Qi

JiaQi was an unexpected, welcome surprise coming into Worlds 2026.

Invictus Gaming has many superstars, starting from the Worlds 2018 championship duo Song “Rookie” Eui-jin and Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok, 2015 MSI winner and Worlds 2021 champion Tian “Meiko” Ye, and two time MSI winner Yan “Wei” Yangwei.

Naturally, most fans were unfamiliar with the ADC entering Swiss.

Yet JiaQi’s consistent excellence throughout IG’s series against LYON left many viewers in awe with a KDA of 14-5-11 and a remarkable 2v3 highlight alongside Meiko. – Yaya

HONOR ROLL: Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun

My original choice was JiaQi, but aside from him, Oner was also an MVP.

Oner was creative and played a solid series against Javier “Elyoya” Prades Batalla. He racked up an 8-6-22 KDA in the 2-0 sweep of Movistar KOI.

The question remains whether T1 can find a way to get back to the final. They still struggle to find paths to comfortable victories, so Oner and the rest need to find a course to more stable games. – Dory

HONOR ROLL: Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon

If there were any lane T1 fans could have counted on, top lane had to be near the top of the list. Doran played OK against CTBC Flying Oysters but followed it up with a top-lane masterclass against MKOI, securing deathless two games with 10 kills and 13 assists.

Doran has had an up-and-down year thus far, but if he can find positive form again, it’s another lane that T1 fans can count on when the going gets tough in the knockout stages. – Paul

STOCK UP: IG’s 2018 Throwback

IG has become a feel-good story at these Worlds.

The original LPL team to win a world championship is looking to again break Korea's hold on the title again.

It’s not just TheShy and Rookie. It’s a complete effort by IG and the org’s return to the quarterfinals, but now with every match being do-or-die, the question becomes how long will this story last?

If how they’re playing is any indication, it may be similar to 2018. – Paul

STOCK UP: T1’s Reputation

It’s happening, guys.

T1 is through and the quest for No. 7 officially begins. Until T1 sees its Nexus falls three times in a best-of-five, it’s their title.

Doran is rounding into form, while Ryu “Keria” Min-seok continues to prove why he’s in the running for the greatest of all time regardless of position. T1 will have some time before they return to the stage, and fans can bet that time will be used to maximize performance at this stage of the tournament. – Paul

STOCK DOWN: MKOI’s Run

MKOI brought a swagger that only Spanish can bring.

Reality, however, is setting in. MKOI stunned the LEC by making it all the way to the LEC Finals and then moved through the first two best-of-ones with little resistance.

But as in traditional sports, the hardest one is the one that closes out advancement and MKOI is feeling it.

Can MKOI make one more push for the quarters on Saturday, or will their dreams go up in smoke? – Paul

STOCK DOWN: LYON Giving LCS Fans Confidence

Misa isn’t here. They play again Saturday. That’s all you need to know. – Paul

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