Yike wants Worlds 2026 rematch with MKOI

Karmine Corp defeated CTBC Flying Oyster at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas, to reach the 2-2 stage of the Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage. The result eliminated the Pacific region’s final representative from the tournament.

KC need one more win to reach the Knockout Stage. Their next opponent has not yet been determined.

Several technical pauses interrupted the second game, but Yike told reporters that they did not affect his focus. He has experienced long pauses during his career and used the breaks to help his teammates stay ready.

“I told my team to just keep their hands warm, keep clicking the mouse and the keyboard, just to make sure they’re still in the game when it comes back,” Yike said. “Taking a 10-20 minute pause and then suddenly going back to clicking everything can feel a bit weird.”

KC won the first game cleanly, according to Yike. CFO built an early lead in the second game with a composition focused on the early stages, gaining advantages in the mid lane, bottom lane and jungle. KC recovered as the game progressed.

“We knew that, no matter what, we’d still be stronger later on and could find ways to win,” Yike said. “We’ve been in these situations so many times in scrims and official games, so we know the game is never over.”

Yike credited top laner Canna for his performance. KC had entered the match after losses to LYON and Bilibili Gaming, and the team had reviewed mistakes from its teamfights.

Yike described himself as comfortable with the current jungle meta, which has included aggressive champions such as Qiyana, Nocturne and Lee Sin. Qiyana is his favorite champion, though he noted that it is frequently banned.

“I’m confident playing all the champions that are currently being picked,” Yike said. “At some point, you have to bring out the pocket picks, right? I don’t think I’ve shown any of them yet, but I’ll have them ready.”

He added that teamfights have had a major effect on games at the tournament. Lane advantages can become less important after both teams reach major item power spikes. Yike described KC as one of Europe’s strongest teamfighting teams, while acknowledging that the team had struggled in some fights during its losses.

“We’ve talked about that a lot and know we need to improve on,” Yike said. “Going into the next series, whoever we play against, I think we’ll be much sharper in that regard.”

Yike wants KC to face MKOI in the 2-2 stage because MKOI defeated KC during the finals weekend in Nice. He described that series as a poor performance and wants an opportunity to respond.

“I would really like to get revenge,” Yike said. “Obviously, I’m still rooting for Europe, but if MKOI and KC face each other, one team is guaranteed to make it to the quarterfinals, so that’s another good thing for the region.”

Yike added that he would be confident against any team in the 2-2 stage, including Hanwha Life if it defeats G2 Esports. He also pointed to G2’s results at the First Stand and MSI as evidence of stronger European performances this year.

“We’re going to make sure we come into the 2-2 stage ready to win, whoever we end up playing against,” Yike said.

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