ZUIAN Faces Visa Denial Ahead of Worlds 2026, 369 Set to Step In
Written with artificial intelligence.
Top Esports' Cheng 'ZUIAN' Zihao may miss the upcoming League of Legends World Championship due to visa issues, leading to veteran player Bai '369' Jia-Hao stepping in as a replacement. The team is still working to secure a third visa interview for ZUIAN before the tournament starts on October 15.
Visa Denial for ZUIAN
Top Esports (TES) is facing a potential setback as Cheng 'ZUIAN' Zihao has been denied a United States visa, which could prevent him from participating in the League of Legends World Championship 2026. The team announced on October 6 that ZUIAN has failed two visa interviews, prompting TES to prepare veteran player Bai '369' Jia-Hao to take his place in the lineup.
Upcoming Championship Details
The 2026 League of Legends World Championship is scheduled from October 15 to November 14, with Top Esports competing in the Swiss Stage starting October 23 in Allen, Texas. Despite the visa complications, TES is pursuing a third interview for ZUIAN in hopes of allowing him to travel with the team.
Broader Visa Issues
ZUIAN is not the only member of Top Esports encountering visa problems. Reports indicate that two coaches, He 'BoBo' Wen-Bo and Li 'Leo' Yu-Ming, are also facing challenges, with BoBo having failed his second interview and Leo scheduled for his second interview on October 8. The team has yet to announce if replacements will be made for the coaching staff.
369's Experience
If ZUIAN cannot secure his visa, 369 will be stepping back into action after a hiatus since being replaced by ZUIAN. He brings significant experience, having previously competed at Worlds with JD Gaming in 2023 and again with TES in 2025, where both runs ended in semifinals against T1. Should TES face T1 again in 2026, 369 will have an opportunity for redemption.
Visa issues have historically impacted teams at Worlds, as seen with GAM Esports and Saigon Buffalo in 2022. For now, Top Esports is focused on getting 369 ready for competition while continuing efforts to resolve ZUIAN's visa situation.