10 Star Players Missing the World Championship 2025

The biggest League of Legends tournament of the year — the ultimate goal for every fan, team, and player — is about to begin. For an entire year, every team and player gave their all to qualify for Worlds 2025, to make their dream come true and become world champions. Unfortunately, only 17 teams will have the chance to compete for the coveted title. In this blog, we’ll talk about the players whose names are well known to most fans of the game but who, sadly, failed to qualify for the 2025 World Championship.

10.Yike

One of the strongest — and for some, the strongest — junglers in the European LEC is Martin “Yike” Sundelin. Just last year, Yike played for G2 Esports, the team that completely dominated their region by winning every LEC Split. His debut year with G2 in 2023 was also an incredible success, both for the organization and for Yike himself.

• 2024-09-01 - LEC 2024 Season Finals - 1st
• 2024-07-28 - LEC 2024 Summer - 1st
• 2024-07-06 - Esports World Cup 2024 - 3rd-4th
• 2024-04-14 - LEC 2024 Spring - 1st
• 2024-02-18 - LEC 2024 Winter - 1st
• 2023-09-10 - LEC 2023 Season Finals - 1st
• 2023-07-30 - LEC 2023 Summer - 1st
• 2023-02-26 - LEC 2023 Winter - 1st

At the beginning of 2025, Martin joined Karmine Corp. Together with his new team, he managed to win the LEC 2025 Winter Split, crushing G2 in the finals with a dominant 3:0 score. After that, they qualified for the first-ever First Stand tournament, where they lost in the finals to HLE 1:3. Following that event, the team’s performance started to decline, and they failed to qualify for any other international tournaments — including Worlds 2025. They missed their chance to reach the biggest event of the year after losing 1:3 to Fnatic in the Lower Bracket Semifinal, who eventually secured their spot at the 2025 World Championship.

9. Vulcan

Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme is a representative of the LTA region — an experienced support player currently representing Cloud9, with a strong record on the international stage. For the most part, Vulcan has spent his career with just two organizations — Cloud9 and Evil Geniuses — and in both teams, he proved himself as a highly reliable and impactful player.

• 2024-03-30 - LCS 2024 Spring - 3rd (Cloud9)
• 2022-09-10 - LCS 2022 Summer - 3rd (Evil Geniuses)
• 2022-05-27 - 2022 Mid-Season Invitational - 3rd-4th (Evil Geniuses)
• 2022-04-24 - LCS 2022 Spring - 1st (Evil Geniuses)
• 2021-10-25 - 2021 World Championship - 5th-8th (Cloud9)
• 2021-08-28 - LCS 2021 Summer - 3rd (Cloud9)
• 2021-04-11 - LCS 2021 Spring - 1st (Cloud9)
• 2020-04-19 - LCS 2020 Spring - 1st (Cloud9)

The 2025 season hasn’t been the best for Cloud9. Several times, they came just a few steps away from winning a regional split and qualifying for an international event but stumbled at the final hurdle. The only international tournament Cloud9 attended this year was the EWC 2025, where they first lost a Bo1 match to FlyQuest and then fell to FURIA in the Lower Bracket Semifinal, finishing in 11th–12th place.

8. Zven

Another representative of the LTA region and Vulcan’s teammate on Cloud9 — Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen. One of the most experienced bot-lane players in his region, Zven began his rise back in 2013, with his first major event being DreamHack Winter 2013, where his team placed 3rd–4th. He truly made a name for himself after Worlds 2015 and his subsequent move to G2.

• 2023-08-20 - LCS 2023 Summer - 2nd (Cloud9)
• 2023-04-09 - LCS 2023 Spring - 1st (Cloud9)
• 2022-09-11 - LCS 2022 Summer - 1st (Cloud9)
• 2021-04-11 - LCS 2021 Spring - 1st (Cloud9)
• 2020-04-19 - LCS 2020 Spring - 1st (Cloud9)
• 2017-09-03 - EU LCS 2017 Summer - 1st (G2)
• 2017-05-21 - 2017 Mid-Season Invitational - 2nd (G2)
• 2017-04-23 - EU LCS 2017 Spring - 1st (G2)
• 2016-08-28 - EU LCS 2016 Summer - 1st (G2)
• 2015-10-24 - 2015 World Championship - 3rd-4th (Origen)

Together with G2, he achieved significant success, winning multiple regional titles and taking second place at MSI 2017, where they lost to T1 1:3. After a short decline, he joined Cloud9, where he remains to this day, continuing to deliver strong performances — though, unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case this year.

7. Kingen

Hwang Seong-hoon, better known as Kingen, is a Korean top-laner representing the LCK and currently playing for Nongshim RedForce. Throughout his career, Kingen has played for several different teams and even spent some time competing in the LPL with BLG. His first major achievement came in 2018 when he won the LCK title as a member of KT Rolster.

• 2024-11-02 - 2024 World Championship - 9th-11th (Dplus)
• 2024-09-01 - LCK 2024 Summer - 4th (Dplus)
• 2024-04-07 - LCK 2024 Spring - 4th (Dplus)
• 2023-08-13 - LCK 2023 Summer - 4th (Hanwha Life Esports)
• 2023-04-02 - LCK 2023 Spring - 4th (Hanwha Life Esports)
• 2022-11-06 - 2022 World Championship - 1st (DRX)
• 2019-08-18 - LCK 2019 Summer - 8th (KT Rolster)
• 2019-03-31 - LCK 2019 Spring - 9th (KT Rolster)
• 2018-12-28 - KeSPA Cup 2018 - 3rd-4th (KT Rolster)
• 2018-09-08 - LCK 2018 Summer - 1st (KT Rolster)

As mentioned earlier, this season Kingen has been playing for Nongshim RedForce. The team finished the 2025 season with results that have, unfortunately, become rather typical for them — 4th place at the LCK Cup 2025, 5th place in the LCK 2025 Road to MSI, and 7th place in the LCK 2025 Season.

6.Pyosik

Hong Chang-hyeon, better known by his in-game name Pyosik, is a Korean jungler and one of the most experienced players in his role — a former Worlds champion. He is currently playing for the Korean team DN Freecs.

• 2022-11-06 - 2022 World Championship - 1st (DRX)
• 2020-12-31 - KeSPA Cup 2020 - 7th-8th (DRX)
• 2020-10-31 - 2020 World Championship - 5th-8th (DRX)
• 2020-08-30 - LCK 2020 Summer - 2nd (DRX)
• 2020-05-31 - 2020 Mid-Season Cup - 5th-6th (DRX)
• 2020-04-25 - LCK 2020 Spring - 3rd (DRX)

As you may have noticed, Pyosik reached the peak of his career and gained most of his fame while playing for DRX, with whom he conquered Worlds 2022 by defeating T1 in the finals with a 3:2 score. In contrast, his 2025 season with Freecs can probably be considered one of the worst experiences of his entire career — finishing 8th–9th at the LCK Cup 2025 and 10th in the LCK 2025 Season, where the team managed to win only 4 out of 30 games.

5.Crisp

A true legend of the Chinese League of Legends pro scene, support player Liu Qingsong — better known as Crisp — currently represents Weibo Gaming. A former Worlds champion, he came close to lifting the trophy a second and even a third time but fell just short. Crisp began his rise to stardom with FunPlus Phoenix, the team with which he won the 2019 World Championship.

• 2025-03-15 - 2025 First Stand Tournament - 3rd-4th (Top Esports)
• 2025-03-01 - LPL 2025 Split 1 - 1st (Top Esports)
• 2024-10-26 - 2024 World Championship - 3rd-4th (Weibo Gaming)
• 2024-08-30 - LPL 2024 Summer - 2nd (Weibo Gaming)
• 2023-11-19 - 2023 World Championship - 2nd (Weibo Gaming)
• 2021-09-02 - LPL 2021 Summer - 2nd (FunPlus Phoenix)
• 2021-04-18 - LPL 2021 Spring - 1st (FunPlus Phoenix)
• 2020-05-31 - 2020 Mid-Season Cup - 2nd (FunPlus Phoenix)
• 2019-11-10 - 2019 World Championship - 1st (FunPlus Phoenix)
• 2019-09-06 - LPL 2019 Summer - 1st (FunPlus Phoenix)

Crisp began the 2025 season with Top Esports, and the year started off quite well — the team took 1st place in the LPL 2025 Split 1 and finished 3rd at the First Stand tournament. However, to be fair, Top Esports looked rather underwhelming at First Stand, especially compared to HLE, who ultimately won the event. Then, on July 4, a roster swap took place between Weibo Gaming and Top Esports, with Crisp being traded for Hang. Ironically, it’s Hang who will be heading to Worlds 2025 with Top Esports, while Crisp, unfortunately, will have to miss the biggest tournament of the year.

4.Lehends

Son Si-woo, better known as Lehends, is a highly experienced Korean support who strengthens every team he joins. He is currently playing for Nongshim RedForce. A multiple-time regional champion, Lehends has also consistently demonstrated strong performances on the international stage.

• 2024-10-27 - 2024 World Championship - 3rd-4th (Gen.G)
• 2024-09-08 - LCK 2024 Summer - 2nd (Gen.G)
• 2024-05-19 - 2024 Mid-Season Invitational - 1st (Gen.G)
• 2024-04-14 - LCK 2024 Spring - 1st (Gen.G)
• 2022-10-30 - 2022 World Championship - 3rd-4th (Gen.G)
• 2022-08-28 - LCK 2022 Summer - 1st (Gen.G)
• 2022-04-02 - LCK 2022 Spring - 2nd (Gen.G)
• 2019-08-31 - LCK 2019 Summer - 2nd (Griffin)
• 2019-04-13 - LCK 2019 Spring - 2nd (Griffin)
• 2018-09-08 - LCK 2018 Summer - 2nd (Griffin)

Since his transfer from Gen.G to Nongshim, the player has been going through a rather challenging period in his career. Despite that, he continues to perform exceptionally well in his role and remains an example to follow — both for aspiring rookies and even for many seasoned professional players.

3.Xiaohu

Undoubtedly a legendary player and an LPL superstar, Li “Xiaohu” Yuanhao is someone who has achieved outstanding results while mastering two different roles. He began his career as a mid-laner, later transitioned to the top lane, and eventually returned to mid once again. Throughout all these years, Xiaohu has consistently been regarded as one of the best players in the world — a truly rare feat for someone who has switched roles multiple times.

• 2023-11-19 - 2023 World Championship - 2nd (Weibo Gaming)
• 2022-05-29 - 2022 Mid-Season Invitational - 1st (Royal Never Give Up)
• 2022-04-23 - LPL 2022 Spring - 1st (Royal Never Give Up)
• 2021-05-23 - 2021 Mid-Season Invitational - 1st (Royal Never Give Up)
• 2021-04-18 - LPL 2021 Spring - 1st (Royal Never Give Up)
• 2018-09-14 - LPL 2018 Summer - 1st (Royal Never Give U
• 2018-05-20 - 2018 Mid-Season Invitational - 1st (Royal Never Give Up)
• 2018-04-28 - LPL 2018 Spring - 1st (Royal Never Give Up)
• 2017-10-28 - 2017 World Championship - 3rd-4th (Royal Never Give Up)
• 2016-04-23 - LPL 2016 Spring - 1st (Royal Never Give Up)

Not many players can boast such an impressive track record and consistent performance. Unfortunately for Xiaohu, this year turned out to be particularly disappointing — Weibo Gaming and Xiaohu repeatedly finished in 5th–6th place. They didn’t qualify for a single international tournament this season, and he will also miss Worlds 2025.

2.ShowMaker

I’m not afraid to say it — Heo Su “ShowMaker” is a true legend of the mid lane and the entire Korean pro scene. Since the very start of his career, he has remained loyal to one organization — DAMWON, which later rebranded to Dplus KIA. Under this banner, he has won nearly every title imaginable.

• 2022-10-22 - 2022 World Championship - 5th-8th (DWG KIA)
• 2022-03-27 - LCK 2022 Spring - 3rd (DWG KIA)
• 2021-11-06 - 2021 World Championship - 2nd (DWG KIA)
• 2021-08-28 - LCK 2021 Summer - 1st (DWG KIA)
• 2021-05-23 - 2021 Mid-Season Invitational - 2nd (DWG KIA)
• 2021-04-10 - LCK 2021 Spring - 1st (DWG KIA)
• 2021-01-02 - KeSPA Cup 2020 - 1st (DWG KIA)
• 2020-10-31 - 2020 World Championship - 1st (DAMWON Gaming)
• 2020-09-05 - LCK 2020 Summer - 1st (DAMWON Gaming)
• 2019-10-27 - 2019 World Championship - 5th-8th (DAMWON Gaming)

Despite Dplus not showing their best results lately, the team remains a strong and capable force that could strengthen almost any roster. The 2025 season was a tough one, but they still managed to put up an impressive fight against the strongest teams in Korea — teams that can rightfully be considered among the best in the world right now.

1.BeryL

Wrapping up our list of 10 Star Players To Miss World Championship 2025 is Cho Geon-hee, better known by his iconic nickname BeryL. A two-time Worlds champion and winner of several other major tournaments, he is currently a teammate of ShowMaker and the support player for Dplus. Interestingly, BeryL began his career as an ADC before switching to the support role in 2020 — a move that marked the start of his rapid rise to success.

• 2022-10-22 - 2022 World Championship - 5th-8th (DAMWON Gaming)
• 2022-03-27 - LCK 2022 Spring - 3rd (DWG KIA)
• 2021-11-06 - 2021 World Championship - 2nd (DWG KIA)
• 2021-08-28 - LCK 2021 Summer - 1st (DWG KIA)
• 2021-05-23 - 2021 Mid-Season Invitational - 2nd (DWG KIA)
• 2021-04-10 - LCK 2021 Spring - 1st (DWG KIA)
• 2021-01-02 - KeSPA Cup 2020 - 1st (DAMWON Gaming)
• 2020-10-31 - 2020 World Championship - 1st (DAMWON Gaming)
• 2020-09-05 - LCK 2020 Summer - 1st (DAMWON Gaming)
• 2019-10-27 - 2019 World Championship - 5th-8th (DAMWON Gaming)

The player is very seasoned and experienced, so it’s quite possible that we may still see him lifting another trophy as a support. However, his playing career is clearly nearing its sunset, which is unfortunate for the entire pro scene. There’s a good chance that in the future, we’ll see him take on a coaching role — and perhaps lift another trophy, this time as a mentor.

World Championship 2025

The biggest tournament of the year — Worlds 2025 — the one every League of Legends fan has been waiting for, is about to begin. It kicks off on October 14 and will conclude on November 9. This year’s prize pool is set at $5,000,000, and 17 of the world’s best teams are ready to fight for it. You can check out all the qualified teams in our blog Worlds 2025: A Complete Overview of All Teams. Don’t miss the biggest event of the year — stay with us and follow all the updates. Hopefully, the team you’re rooting for will come out on top and lift the Summoner’s Cup!