Falcons Vega suffer shock loss on MWI Day 1 as competition stiffens between female MLBB teams

Wasif Ahmed Published July 15, 2026

The MLBB Women’s International (MWI) 2026 is the first culmination of the women’s MLBB esports circuit after the competition was rebranded from an invitational tournament.

With female MLBB esports being a new circuit, every edition brings its own set of surprises, and the first day of the MWI 2026, taking place at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Paris, showed that there could be more upsets this time around.

On Day 1, the first set of group stage matches took place, and there were two matches to watch out for: Falcons Vega vs. SAETA and Vitality facing MIBR.LOS.

Falcons Vega vs. SAETA

Falcons Vega have come into this tournament as one of the few teams that could potentially challenge defending champions Team Vitality, who have absolutely dominated female MLBB esports.

However, Falcons Vega’s first game was against the new Chinese roster, SAETA. China, where MLBB was launched only in January 2025, is a new entrant in global female esports for the MOBA title.

Facing off against the experienced Indonesian roster, they proved why China is considered a powerhouse in esports.

SAETA were in complete control. Image credit: MOONTON

SAETA looked in total control of the best-of-three series, winning 2–0. Both games finished within 14 minutes and 12 seconds.

In the first game, SAETA were in complete control. Falcons Vega could only manage to take one turret and secure three kills. The Chinese squad, on the other hand, built a quick gold lead and secured the map to close the game out quickly.

Game number two followed the same script, as Falcons Vega never regained their footing. SAETA once again got off to a good start, built a gold lead, secured match objectives, picked up three Turtles, and shattered their opponents’ base before the clock struck 15 minutes.

For Team Falcons, the loss is also a surprise as they look to defend their EWC Club Championship title.

Vitality vs. MIBR.LOS

While Vitality won its upper-bracket match 2–0, the second game was a nail-biting affair.

The Vitality squad was doing what was expected of them, securing map control and objectives while continuously exerting pressure.

MIBR.LOS, though, showed that they are a team that shouldn’t be written off. Even with their backs against the wall, they were able to hold off Vitality until the 26-minute mark.

The match showed that the one-sided dominance Vitality has displayed in the past could be faltering as female MLBB esports continues to evolve.

It could also set up additional upsets later in the MWI.

MWI 2026 Day 2 match-ups

The match-ups for today are as follows. The MWI gives plenty of MLBB betting opportunities.

• SAETA vs. Team Rey Young: 10 AM GMT
• GelTek Cyber Team vs. Twisted Minds: 10 AM GMT
• Team Falcons vs. Aurora Gaming: 11:30 AM GMT
• Geekay Esports vs. Virtus.pro: 11:30 AM GMT
• Team Vitality vs. Gen.G Esports: 1 PM GMT
• Natus Vincere vs. Falcon Daisies: 1 PM GMT
• FUT Esports vs. MIBR.LOS: 2:30 PM GMT
• Galaxy Phoenix vs. Team Falcons: 2:30 PM GMT

Featured image credit: MOONTON