T1 defeats Gen.G to qualify for MSI 2026

Naerlyn Published June 15, 2026

T1 beat Gen.G in the final match of Road to MSI 2026 to claim the 11th and final spot at the international event. In a long five-game series, T1 made Gen.G finish an LCK split with a loss for the first time since the 2025 LCK Cup. In doing so, they also prevented the back-to-back MSI winner from returning for a third title.

T1 beats Gen.G 3-2 in the LCK’s Road to MSI

The match between the two titans of the LCK was a marathon. Despite coming up short, Gen.G was ahead for most of the series. The team held a lead for almost all of their two game wins. T1, on the other hand, had to repeatedly crawl back in theirs.

In fact, Gen.G finished three games with a lead. However, coming close isn’t enough if they can’t make it past the finish line.

After going 2-2, Gen.G drafted an early composition with the infamous Renekton-Nidalee backed up by Twisted Fate for more map pressure. Against them, T1 went for the opposite with Ryze, Sivir, and Gragas.

Gen.G did get ahead in the final game as well, but it wasn’t enough. By minute 25, their composition had reached its expiration date without enough in the wallet to make up for it. This left T1 free to outscale them and win.

After winning in 2024 and 2025, Gen.G will miss MSI 2026. Image source: Riot Games

T1 qualifies for MSI, Gen.G is out until Summer

This series was an upset, as Gen.G has historically had T1’s number outside of Worlds. Surprisingly though, this was only their third regional Bo5 since the start of 2024 – and T1’s first win.

With that win, they will join Hanwha Life Esports at MSI. As the second seed, they will go through the play-in, where they’ll face Team Liquid, Karmine Corp, and Deep Cross Gaming. Only one of these four teams will advance to the bracket stage, and pressure is on as T1 will be everyone’s final boss.

For the past two years, Gen.G claimed the title at MSI. Now, T1 eliminated them and the cup is anyone’s to grab. It’s crazy to see Gen.G go from being one of the strongest teams in history to now miss this event, but they’ll have to stay home and recalibrate for the Esports World Cup in July.

MSI kicks off June 28 for two weeks of action in Seoul.

Featured image source: Riot Games