Top 10 Players to Watch at MSI 2026

With MSI 2026 just days away, the tournament will offer the chance to watch some of the best League of Legends teams and players clash as they try to outperform one another.

Whether it be for their tremendous current form, their potential for growth against international competition, or their sheer antics on and off the Rift, here are our top 10 players to watch at MSI 2026.

Top 10 Players to Watch at MSI 2026

T1 Peyz

Attempting to replace a player that had just won three consecutive Worlds titles was never going to be easy, but Kim "Peyz" Su-hwan has started to prove his superstar status once more, this time in a T1 jersey. 

Arguably the best AD carry in the world in terms of current form, it will be very interesting to see how T1 perform on the international stage with Peyz firing on all cylinders and a fervent South Korea crowd behind them.

G2 SkewMond

Ever since Rudy "SkewMond" Semaan made the jump to Tier-1 at the start of 2025, he has done nothing but improve. The French player looks far and away the best Western Jungler in the world at the moment, if not the best player, and will no doubt be eager to show what he's got.

At MSI 2026, the reigning LEC Finals MVP will get to go toe-to-toe against some of the best Junglers to ever touch the game, and all of the West should be there to watch.

BLG knight

Zhuo "knight" Ding has always been an amazing player, but his current form looks simply indomitable. If BLG have won every single trophy they've played for so far this year, that is largely thanks to the fact that knight is playing like the best League of Legends player in the world, and then some.

The top-end mid lane talent at MSI 2026 is absolutely stacked, but there's little doubt that knight must be feeling pretty good about his chances going up against any of them right now.

HLE Kanavi

Perhaps the hottest Jungler in the world right now, Seo "Kanavi" Jin-hyeok is always a joy to watch. Hanwha Life Esports experienced some growing pains under their new roster to start the season, but once the squad really started leaning into Kanavi's aggressive playstyle, the team looked unstoppable.

Hanwha Life is the best team in the best league in the world right now, and will want to make that count for something. For HLE's gutsy style to lead them to the MSI 2026 trophy, it must all start with Kanavi in the Jungle.

FUR Tatu

Whether he's pumping his chest or playing standing up, Pedro "Tatu" Seixas is one of the most fun personalities in all of LoL Esports.

In only his second year at the Tier-1 level, Tatu has won the hearts of viewers both in and out of Brazil through a combination of on-stage antics, Jungle champion pool shenanigans, and unrivaled love for the game.

Oh, and don't forget, he's tons of fun to watch in-game too. After dominating the CBLOL during playoffs, it's time for Tatu and the rest of FURIA to carry their flair over to South Korea for MSI.

TES ZUIAN

Without any prior Tier-1 experience, Cheng "ZUIAN" Zi-Hao came in on short notice to replace the legendary Bai "369" Jia-Hao on Top Esports for Split 2 of the LPL and immediately overperformed. 

Despite his lack of experience, ZUIAN finished second in KDA and damage per minute among all Top Laners during the Split 2 Playoffs (behind only the almighty Bin), all while working with the second-lowest gold share in the role to boot.

Now, ZUIAN will get to play in his first-ever international tournament on hostile South Korea soil. But can he handle the heat? That's what we hope to find out.

TL Josedeodo

It's all about that LATAM pride, isn't it? For large parts of the 2026 LCS Spring Split, Brandon "Josedeodo" Villegas has looked like the best Jungler in the league, even over the likes of LYON's Kacper "Inspired" Słoma.

That kind of thing goes a long way if you're watching from one of the more underrepresented regions in Tier-1 League of Legends.

Working as an inspiration to many, Josedeodo has been the engine behind Team Liquid this year. During his debut match of MSI 2026 against none other than Mun "Oner" Hyeon-jun, there will no doubt be a large number of people rooting for Jose every step of the way as David takes on Goliath.

KC Caliste

The case for Caliste "Caliste" Henry-Hennebert as a player to watch at MSI 2026 is an interesting one. After an explosive LEC debut last year, it seems the French star's growth has somewhat stagnated in his second year at this level (unlike what's happening with SkewMond on G2). 

Caliste is still one of the best AD carries in Europe, no doubt, but a strong showing at MSI 2026 would go a long way in putting further respect on his name. Karmine Corp may be set to play T1 in the Play-In Stage, and Caliste taking on Peyz should be a real show to behold.

LYON Isles

Jonah "Isles" Rosario is a player who has largely flown under the radar so far this year, but the difference between the DIG Isles of last year and the LYON Isles of today is night and day.

A player who once looked barely fit to even start in the LCS is now among the very best Supports in the league, and his growth hasn't stopped yet.

The Australian player looked fantastic throughout the LCS Spring Playoffs leading up to MSI. Working next to Isles, moreover, Kim "Berserker" Min-cheol is looking like the clear best AD carry in North America once more.

Whether that's thanks to Isles or its Berserker making Isles look good (or a little of both), the truth is that MSI 2026 should serve as a great indicator of Isles' true standing in the overall scene, as well as offer a great chance to develop further.

T1 Faker 

Does this one even warrant an explanation? Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok has gone through many forms and adaptations throughout his career, but no matter the role he plays for his team, when the GOAT plays on the international stage, the League of Legends world stops to watch.

Do further heroics await from The Unkillable Demon King himself? Tune into MSI 2026 starting June 28 to find out!

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Featured image credit: Bruno Alvares/Riot Games

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