The Play-Ins are done, Karmine Corp is through, and Worlds 2026 moves to Allen, Texas, for the Swiss Stage. That means it’s time to lock in another set of Pick’Ems before the first game on October 23rd.
If you missed our first round of picks, the short version is that we called the winner, but how we got there wasn’t paved in points.
We can’t promise you a perfect card, but if there’s a matchup you keep flip-flopping on, maybe our picks can help settle it.
Worlds 2026 Pick’Ems dates
- October 18th: Swiss predictions start.
- October 23rd: Swiss predictions end (before the first match, so don’t leave it until the evening).
- October 31st: Knockout predictions start.
- November 3rd: Knockout predictions end.
- November 14th: Worlds ends at the Barclays Center, and rewards are given out.
How the Swiss Stage works
Sixteen teams, up to five rounds. Win three, and you’re into the Knockouts; lose three, and you’re on the flight home. Round 1 is all Bo1s, and once a team is one win from qualifying or one loss from elimination, it turns into a Bo3.
No team plays the same opponent twice, and teams from the same region couldn’t meet in Round 1. After that, it’s anyone’s game.
Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage Round 1 matchups
- Gen.G vs Invictus Gaming
- Team Liquid vs CTBC Flying Oyster
- Anyone’s Legend vs Karmine Corp
- G2 Esports vs Dplus KIA
- Hanwha Life Esports vs Top Esports
- LOS vs T1
- Team Secret Whales vs LYON
- Bilibili Gaming vs Movistar KOI
Some interesting matches for sure, with the home region, North America, getting a nice start. For those in Europe, it was not so good. KC face AL, G2 Esports play Dplus Kia, and MKOI play Bilibili Gaming. So, any one of those winning in Round 1 would be a good look.
Our Swiss Stage picks
We have a few different picks to look for here. We need to select one side that will go through with a specific score (3-0, 3-1, 3-2); doing some correctly will net us bonus points. We then need to pick five other sides that will advance, regardless of score.
3-0 (Undefeated): Gen.G
3-1 (Comfy In): AL
3-2 (Close Call): G2 Esports
Also advancing:
- T1
- HLE
- BLG
- DK
- Team Liquid
Matchups will be key for who goes through, but we think some wildcards could make it. Gen.G we think, are a good pick for 3-0, while AG.AL at 3-1 also feels safe. G2 at 3-2 is risky, but if they go through, that is the likely score, so why not.
Team Liquid, Lyon, KCorp, and MKOI could all make it, but it will come down to the literal luck of the draw. Invictus Gaming and Secrey Whales could also cause an upset. If we wanted to let our bias come forward, we would knock Liquid off and include KCorp. If there was ever a time for North America to do something, it would be on home soil. But, it would also be peak NA to totally collapse like Cloud9 already did.
Check back for the Knockout Stage pickems once the Swiss Stage concludes.