2021 Worlds Group Draw

The 2021 Worlds Group Draw is finally here and it’s as good as any other year! Back in Reykjavík, Iceland after already spending our time there for MSI this year. It’s still as gorgeous as ever and hopefully, the play can be just as fun from MSI. The Groups are drawn and ready now let’s take a quick look at them to start getting even more excited for 2021 Worlds!

Play-Ins

First off we have the Play-Ins. 10 teams make up two different groups with only 4 teams getting out and into the Group Stage. First, we have Group A, the more top-heavy of the two groups. The 4th seeds from both the LCK and LPL (Hanwha Life and LNG Esports) make up the two very heavy favorites to make it into the Group Stage. Infinite Esports (LLA #1), PEACE (LCO #1), and Red Canids (CBLOL #1) make up the other three teams in the group and will hope to pull off an upset or two to make it out of Play Ins.

Group B is by far much more even throughout. While the playing field does seem much more even the two favorites do still happen to come from the more major regions the PCS and LCS (Beyond Gaming and Cloud9). The other three teams are made up of two teams we have seen before in Unicorns of Love (LCL #1) and DetonatioN FocusMe (LJL #1). On top of that, you have the number 1 seed from Turkey with Galatasaray Esports (TCL #1). The TCL always seems to have a decent showing at worlds and while Galatasaray may be a new team to us on the International stage selling them sort would be a huge mistake.

Overall the Play-Ins do look set up to be an enjoyable one. We get Chovy vs Tarzan and a super close Group B. At the end of the day, the expected results for the Play-Ins and should be LNG 1st and Hanwha Life 2nd for Group A and Cloud9 1st and Beyond Gaming 2nd for Group B.

Group Stage

Now while I am still very much excited to watch the Play-Ins let’s take a look at the real reason we all watched the 2021 Worlds Group Draw, the Group Stage! 12 teams will be waiting in the Group stage and the groups break down like this.

Group A

Group A should very much be considered the group of Death. Both DWG KIA (LCK #1) and FunPlus Phoenix (LPL #2) sit atop Group A. Most people are under the impression Group A will truly be theirs fully, only fighting over 1st and 2nd. Rogue (LEC #3) and the expected team from the Play-Ins Cloud9 (LCS #3) will likely struggle against the two top teams and should realistically just be trying for 3rd. I’ll hold off on my full predictions on the group stage until after Play-Ins are over.

Group B

The second group in the worlds group draw is an interesting one for sure. EDward Gaming (LPL #1) and T1 (LCK #3) are by far some of the most successful orgs in League’s history. 100 Thieves (LCS #1) is on the other side of that will essentially no history within League until just this year when they picked up an LCS championship, they do hope to etch their name in Worlds history and might actually have a chance. Beyond Gaming (PCS #2) are the favorites to join the group but will likely fall behind the other 3.

Group C

Group C could very likely be the closest of the groups from the 2021 Worlds Group Draw. PSG Talon (PCS #1), Fnatic (LEC #2), and Royal Never Give Up (LPL #3) make up the guaranteed group with Hanwha Life (LCK #4) being the likely favorite to join them. Overall I think this group more than all others is up for grabs. This one should be a fun one to watch.

Group D

Finally, we have Group D, which happens to look pretty good for the West. MAD Lions (LEC #1) should look to run this Group with Team Liquid (LCS #2) close behind. Gen.G (LCK #2) and LNG Esports (LPL #4) should at least keep the Group competitive all throughout. But I think the West should be considered favorites for this group.