Top Esports' Visa Nightmare: ZUIAN's Missed Debut and 369's Return

Cheng Zihao, known to fans as ZUIAN, had his first international outing on hold. The young top laner for Top Esports failed two separate visa interviews for the United States. This bureaucratic hurdle now threatens his participation in the League of Legends World Championship 2026. It is not merely a scheduling inconvenience. It is a potential exclusion from the biggest stage in the game, just weeks before the tournament kicks off in Allen, Texas.

Top Esports announced on October 6 that ZUIAN is unable to travel with the main roster. The team is not sitting idle. They are actively pursuing a third interview slot before the event begins on October 15. But the reality on the ground is stark. The organization is already preparing veteran Bai Jia-Hao, alias 369, to return to the starting lineup. This sudden shift highlights how fragile international esports travel can be, even for elite teams with deep pockets and dedicated staff.

A Breakout Year Cut Short

ZUIAN's absence would be a significant blow because his season has been nothing short of explosive. He moved into the starting lineup earlier in the year and immediately made an impact. He helped Top Esports reach the LPL Split 2 Grand Final, showcasing a level of mechanical skill and game sense that made him a fan favorite. His international debut at the Mid-Season Invitational was also a statement, proving he could hold his own against the best in the world.

Now, that momentum could stall before it even hits the global stage. The team qualified for Worlds as the third seed from China, a strong position that relies heavily on consistent performance from its core roster. Losing a player who is in peak form is a strategic nightmare. It forces the team to rely on experience over current form, a trade-off that is rarely ideal in high-stakes competition.

The 369 Factor

Bai Jia-Hao, or 369, is no stranger to the pressure of the World Championship. He has been a mainstay in the LPL for years and has faced the world's best teams multiple times. His return is not a last-minute scramble. It is a calculated move to bring stability and deep experience to the top lane. He knows the format, the opponents, and the mental demands of a long international tournament.

However, 369 has not played a competitive match since being replaced by ZUIAN earlier this year. Rust is a real concern in a game as fast-paced as League of Legends. His reflexes and familiarity with the current meta may need a refresher. Still, his game sense and ability to adapt in high-pressure situations are assets that a younger player like ZUIAN might not fully possess in a global setting.

A Familiar Rivalry

If 369 does step in, he will likely face his old nemesis, T1. The history between these two teams is rich with tension and high-stakes matches. In 2023, 369 was part of the JD Gaming roster that went deep into the tournament before falling to T1 in the semifinals. That loss stung, and it has likely fueled his motivation ever since.

He faced T1 again in 2025, this time with Top Esports, and suffered a 3-0 sweep in the semifinals. Two losses in a row to the same opponent in the same stage is a pattern that 369 will want to break. His return could be seen as a chance for redemption, a final push to end the run of T1's dominance in the LPL. The psychological weight of that rivalry adds another layer of complexity to an already tense situation.

Coaches in Limbo

The visa troubles are not limited to the players. According to reports from LPL content creator Summoner Park, two of Top Esports' coaches are also facing similar issues. Coach He Wen-Bo, known as BoBo, has reportedly failed his second interview. Li Yu-Ming, alias Leo, is scheduled for his second interview on October 8. This suggests a broader administrative or bureaucratic issue affecting the team's support staff.

The loss of coaching staff would be even more damaging than the loss of a player. Coaches are the brains behind the strategy, the preparation, and the in-game adjustments. Replacing them on short notice is nearly impossible. It would force the players to rely more heavily on their own decision-making, which could be a significant disadvantage against well-coached opponents. Top Esports has not confirmed if these coaches will be replaced, leaving the team in a state of uncertainty.

A Precedent for the Future

This situation is not without precedent. In 2022, teams like GAM Esports and Saigon Buffalo faced similar visa delays and denials before eventually securing entry. Those teams managed to navigate the crisis, but it was a stressful and uncertain process. The fact that this is happening again in 2026 suggests that the visa process for international esports events remains a significant bottleneck.

For Top Esports, the next few weeks will be critical. They need to secure ZUIAN's visa or confirm 369's return. They also need to resolve the situation with their coaches. The outcome of this bureaucratic battle could determine whether they have a competitive roster or a fragmented one. It is a reminder that in esports, the game is not just played in the arena. It is also fought in the embassy, in the waiting room, and in the paperwork.