Worlds 2026: IG beat TES 3-1 to reach semi-finals

The Worlds 2026 IG TES quarter-final went to Invictus Gaming, who beat Top Esports 3-1. The 2018 champions, led by returning stars TheShy and Rookie, are back in a Worlds semi-final for the first time since 2019, which also guarantees the LPL a spot in the last four.

The series opened the Knockout Stage at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas, on the evening of November 3 local time. Both LPL teams had come through the Swiss Stage with 3-1 records.

How did the Worlds 2026 IG TES series play out?

Game 1 was even for about 15 minutes. Then TES caught Meiko's Nautilus and Rookie's Syndra in IG's jungle. TheShy teleported in on Gnar, JiaQi's Kai'Sa dealt huge damage, and IG turned the fight into an ace. The gold lead soon passed 10,000 and IG took the opener.

Game 2 was the longest of the night at 47 minutes. TES survived a near-loss around the 40-minute mark when IG pushed into their base. Stand-in 369 then killed JiaQi's Yunara and TheShy's Vayne on his own with Renekton. Tian had already stolen a Baron, and TES won the final fight to level the series.

The last two games belonged to IG jungler Wei. He picked jungle Jayce in Game 3 and finished 5/0/8, while Rookie's Annie got ahead of Creme's Yone. That game was paused for about an hour because of an issue with the tournament client. In Game 4, Wei's Naafiri kept hunting 369's Aatrox, stole the first dragon and took all three Voidgrubs. IG won the Dragon Soul fight and closed out the series.

A tough event for 369 and TES

TES played Worlds without ZUIAN. On October 6 the club said 369 would start because of ZUIAN's visa problems. The stand-in won Game 2 almost by himself, but it was not enough. The two teams also met twice in best-of-five series in September. IG won 3-2 in the LPL Split 3 playoffs on September 5, before TES won 3-1 in the LPL Regional Finals on September 17. This time IG got their revenge.

Why did TheShy and Rookie return to IG?

IG's run started with a mid-season rescue. The team began LPL Split 3 in the lower Nirvana Group, so the club asked TheShy and Rookie, who were both on a break, to come back. The pair lifted the team out of trouble and into Worlds. After the series, TheShy told Inven Global: "When my break was decided, I promised IG's CEO that if things got tough and he called me, I would help. I came back to keep my word."

He added that winning the title is "still a dream rather than a goal". Rookie's message, as quoted by esports.gg, was shorter: "That IG is back."

When are the Worlds 2026 semi-finals and final?

IG now face the winner of Gen.G vs LYON. Gen.G beat IG 1-0 in the Swiss Stage and finished it 3-0. Every Knockout Stage match is a single-elimination best-of-five with Fearless Draft. Worlds 2026 has a total prize pool of US$5,000,000, including US$1,000,000 for the winner. Losing semi-finalists receive US$400,000 each, so IG are guaranteed at least that.

For the background, read how the LPL started with a 0-4 first day, how IG and TES booked their quarter-final spots, and our full quarter-final draw.

Frequently asked questions

Who won IG vs TES at Worlds 2026?

Invictus Gaming beat Top Esports 3-1 in the first Worlds 2026 quarter-final on November 3 in Allen, Texas. Jungler Wei was named series MVP.

Who will IG face in the Worlds 2026 semi-finals?

IG will play the winner of Gen.G vs LYON. That quarter-final starts at 4pm CT (10pm GMT) on November 4. The semi-finals are on November 7 and 8 in Allen.

When is the Worlds 2026 final?

The final is on Saturday, November 14 in Brooklyn, New York, at 2pm EST. The champions take home US$1,000,000.

Sources

• Esports Insider: Invictus Gaming beat Top Esports 3-1
• Dot Esports: Worlds 2026 Knockout Stage Day 1 results
• Inven Global: TheShy, "I returned to IG to keep my promise"
• esports.gg: IG beats TES in quarters
• Esportsresults: IG turn the tables on Top Esports