2025 LoL World Championship - T1 vs AL Preview

2025-10-31 14:51:48

A Clash of Experience and Momentum

At the Quarterfinals stage of Worlds 2025, T1 face off against Anyone's Legend (AL) in what many are calling the most compelling matchup of the early Knockout Round. The series is scheduled for October 31, 2025, in a best-of-five format.

T1 arrive with storied legacy and heavy expectations: the Korean powerhouse holds multiple World Championship titles and is widely regarded as the team to beat. Meanwhile, AL carry momentum from a nearly perfect Swiss Stage—undefeated in key matches against strong opponents—and are eager to cement their status on the global stage.

Team Profiles & Key Players

For T1, names like Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, Lee "Gumayushi" Minhyung and Ryu "Keria" Minseok remain central. Their experience in high-pressure international best-of-fives gives them an edge when the stakes are high. On the AL side, standout performers such as Flandre and Tarzan have delivered bold performances, giving their team the confidence to challenge favorites.

What's At Stake

Beyond just advancing to the semifinals, this matchup carries several narratives:

T1 aiming to reaffirm dominance, especially after facing questions regarding consistency in recent events.

AL looking to prove that they belong at the highest level and that their dominant Swiss run wasn't a fluke.

The broader Korea vs China rivalry in League of Legends esports, with regional pride and viewership stakes high.

What to Watch

Draft & Champion Pool: With the “Fearless Draft” format in effect (teams cannot repeat champions within a series), both squads will be forced to innovate.

Jungle Impact: AL's Tarzan vs T1's Oner matchup in the jungle is widely expected to be pivotal. Control of jungle vision, tempo and side-objectives may tip the series.

Composure in Bo5s: T1's pedigree gives them an advantage in longer series, but AL's momentum suggests they'll be dangerous early. The team that handles mid-series adjustments best could triumph.