2021 Worlds is still a ways off, which hasn’t stopped people from theorizing which LoL teams will do well, and whether we’ll witness any huge upsets once everyone steps foot on Chinese soil come October. The World Championship is always a load of fun. Frankly, it’s the one moment we all eagerly await throughout the year — it is a stage on which the best teams in the world collide for both glory and a sizable sack of cash.

And, fortunately, this year’s Worlds will be no different in that regard.

There’s a lot on the line, and Western teams — in particular — have a chip on their shoulder after either failing miserably (in North America’s case) or regressing without any apparent reason (as has happened to the best European challengers). It’s a strange position. We’ve once again found ourselves in that oh-so-familiar status quo: the LCK is on top, with everyone else fighting for scraps. Chinese teams have also looked nigh unstoppable and are playing a very specific style of League, one that has proved most difficult to handle.

It feels like Western LoL teams have very little to offer at this point, which isn’t going to stop them from trying to usurp the status quo come 2021 Worlds. They’re as aggressive and confident as ever, even though they didn’t have the best of showings last year. Still, a bit of selective amnesia could potentially do wonders for those who’ll eventually compete at the biggest of stages come October. 

The following four teams have already locked in their spots: Rogue, MAD Lions, 100 Thieves, and Team Liquid. What a truly impressive and fairly eclectic bunch of challengers — both in terms of experience and playstyle. We have a lot of young blood over in the LEC, with a more seasoned mix coming from NA.

It’s impossible not to wonder: which “approach” will generate more success? Will any of these four teams be able to leave a mark, or will we see a repeat of 2020? It’s an endlessly interesting question, and the fact that there’s no definitive answer in sight makes it all the more alluring. 

MAD and Rogue’s youth (and relative inexperience) should not be ridiculed. They might lack in veterancy they more than make up for in sheer originality and the willingness to throw caution out the window. They’re hungry for the spotlight and have done way more than enough to warrant our benefit of the doubt.

That doesn’t mean they’ll upend the status quo come October, but they have a shot. MAD’s Top 4 finish at this year’s Mid-Season Invitational was nothing short of spectacular, and the fact that they went the distance with DWG KIA tells us all we need to know when it comes to their long-term potential and innate talent. They might be rough around the edges, but the things they’ve accomplished in just a year and a half are nothing short of awe-inspiring — and their best days are yet to come.

Rogue hasn’t been quite as impressive, but that could easily change in a couple of months. Their first-place finish in Summer (and superb 72% win rate) is indicative of their growth and the fact that they mean business — they want to find redemption after dropping the ball back in Spring and have made huge strides ever since.

Most folks still deem them as “chokers” (not without good reason), but we know for a fact that they stand a chance of not only avenging their loss to MAD but perhaps of even etching their names in the history books. After all, they were just a single game away from doing so back in Spring! 

They’re exceptional in much the same way as the boys in white and gold, and if they play their cards right, they’ll no doubt awe us in all the right ways over the next couple of weeks.

Predicting how well North American teams will perform on the international stage is never easy. They often fumble and fail (in many ways, some of which had been pretty darn scandalous), but there were a few outliers. Be that as it may, there are never any guarantees, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t say that no one’s expecting all too much from NA — we’ve all been numbed by the long list of failures.

Still, it’s hard not to be hyped for the sheer potential of it all. 100 Thieves and Team Liquid are stacked with talented players and, in all fairness, have all the right tools to give the best teams in the world a run for their money. Whether they stand a chance of winning is less important at this point; what is important, however, is for them to (for the first time in a while) move the needle.

Once that’s done, we can move on to other, seemingly more grandiose plans and hopes. 

Both 100T and TL look like veritable threats, although looks can be deceiving. Dominating on North American soil is one thing; competing against the best teams the world of competitive LoL has to offer is a completely different beast. That is precisely where NA has faltered over the years. 

For some, the LCS as a region is doomed internationally almost by default. Others, however, have this unyielding faith that has yet to be rewarded. Is 2021 the year NA finally “breaks through?” Who knows! Stranger things have happened throughout history. The odds aren’t all that favorable (if at all), but North America could potentially have three exceptional representatives at this year’s Worlds, so it’s not all doom and gloom (yet). 

Seven exceptional match-ups (Best of 5s, no less) will take place over the next few days, so definitely make sure to tune in!