League of Legend’s 2017 World’s competition isn’t exactly going to be easy, but it’s looking as good as it can for North America. With a total of twenty-four teams competing – including the favored top teams out of China and Korea – it can be confusing to see just what the draft will mean for America, but we break it down here.

If C9 was tired from finals and then the gauntlet, we have bad news for them. The first stage of Worlds, known as the Play-in, is equally difficult. Before C9 will even get a chance to enter the main event with TSM and IMT, they will have to face Team oNe eSports out of Brazil and Dire Wolves from Oceania in a best of 1. The good news is NA is historically much stronger than those regions, and these are much better match-ups than C9 could have had.

The next part is where it gets hard. After playing ONE and DW, the lowest scoring team will be dropped, then the 1st and 2nd place winners will randomly face winners from another a group. This means for C9 to have the best chance possible, they need to crush ONE and DW and place first. This will match them against a 2nd place winner (or a second seed as they are called). One of the reasons this is so vital is China’s Team We are by far the strongest team in the Play-in, and we expect them to be a 1st place team playing against a 2nd place. If C9 can put off having to face them just yet, they will save some energy. Whoever they do face, C9 will then have to complete a Best of 5 to qualify for the Group stage.

It’ll be tough, and it’ll be tiring, but we predict to see three North American teams in Worlds.

The main event. This is going to see the twelve best teams in the entire world facing off. They will be joined by the four finalists from the Play-ins (hopefully C9 among them) to see who can make it to the quarterfinals. Like the Play-in, the teams will be divided into groups of four and then face every opponent in a best of 1, though this time in groups of 4, not 3.

Instead of having to face SKT or EDG, TSM is going up against the Flash Wolves from Taiwan, Misfits from the EU, and a winner from the Play-in. TSM already proved their dominion over EU at Rift Rivals, so we aren’t much worried about the Misfits, but the Flash Wolves, who were once so feared, have also been faltering and performing poorly. Even if WE from China ends up in this grouping, we are feeling pretty confident for TSM. This is nearly the best match up possible and it’s for our strongest team.

The Immortals are facing a much tougher battle, but not an impossible one. Although Longzhu Gaming did beat out SKT in a 3 – 0 series, they are still not favored to take Worlds. SKT are old hands at Worlds, and they have the stamina and experience to see them through. Remember, the first part of the Group Stage is a best of 1, so it’s possible that Longzhu won’t make it to the next round, which would be the best possible outcome for IMT. We are hoping that the Gigabyte Marines or the slot from the Play-in will advance to the next round where IMT can try to best them in a Best of 5.

Two incredibly favored matchups with C9 and TSM and one difficult one for IMT is more than most regions got, so we are ecstatic about our chances. Of course, we still don’t know who the final slot for the Group Stage – and C9 could end up facing SKT and EDG – but for now, we are looking good to make the best push in Worlds in a long time.