Top Esports scrambles to replace ZUIAN after visa denial

Cheng Zihao, known to the world as ZUIAN, has just missed the window to make his debut at the League of Legends World Championship. The Chinese top laner failed two separate visa interviews for the United States, a bureaucratic hurdle that has now forced his team, Top Esports, into a frantic scramble to secure a third chance before their campaign begins.

The timing is brutal. The 2026 World Championship kicks off on October 15, with the Swiss Stage taking place in Allen, Texas. Top Esports is scheduled to enter that stage on October 23, leaving them with less than two weeks to resolve a situation that was not anticipated when the season started.

ZUIAN has had a breakout year. He moved into the starting lineup early in the season and helped push Top Esports to the LPL Split 2 Grand Final. His international debut at the Mid-Season Invitational was a significant moment, and he was expected to be the face of the team's top lane strategy for this year's global event.

Instead, the team is now preparing a backup plan that brings back a veteran who had been sidelined. Bai Jia-Hao, or 369, is being pulled back into the starting lineup. This is not a casual swap. 369 is one of the most experienced players in the LPL, and his return signals that Top Esports is willing to sacrifice some of the fresh energy they gained this season in favor of proven stability.

The Visa Wall

The specific reason for the denial has not been disclosed by the team or the US consulate. In many cases, visa denials for professional athletes and gamers stem from documentation issues, prior travel history, or simply the sheer volume of applications processing at once. For ZUIAN, the failure of two interviews is a significant setback.

It is not just the player who is affected. According to reports from LPL content creator Summoner Park, two of Top Esports' coaches are also facing similar obstacles. Coach He Wen-Bo, known as BoBo, reportedly failed his second interview as well. Li Yu-Ming, or Leo, is scheduled for his second interview on October 8.

If both coaches are unable to travel, Top Esports will be fielding a roster that is significantly altered from the one that won the LPL Split 2 Grand Final appearance. This creates a logistical and strategic headache for a team that is trying to maintain its momentum on the international stage.

The situation highlights a persistent issue in esports. While teams can practice and prepare their strategies, the ability to physically travel to the venue is a non-negotiable requirement. Visa processes do not always align with the tight schedules of major tournaments, and when they fail, teams are left with little time to adapt.

Bringing Back 369

369 has not played a competitive match since he was replaced by ZUIAN earlier this year. However, his experience cannot be overstated. He was part of JD Gaming's 2023 roster, which had a remarkable run at Worlds before falling to T1 in the semifinals.

That 2023 run was particularly notable because JD Gaming had won both LPL splits and the Mid-Season Invitational, entering Worlds with the momentum of a dominant team. T1 ended that run with a 3-1 victory in the semifinals, a loss that still resonates with many fans in the region.

369 faced T1 again at Worlds 2025, this time with Top Esports. The result was even more lopsided, with T1 sweeping the series 3-0 in the semifinals. If Top Esports meets T1 again this year, 369 will have a personal stake in the outcome, carrying the weight of those previous defeats.

For Top Esports, bringing back 369 is a strategic move to ensure they have a player who has navigated the high-pressure environment of Worlds before. ZUIAN, while talented and rising quickly, has not yet experienced the intensity of the global stage. 369 has, and that experience could be the difference in a tight series.

A Pattern in Esports

This is not the first time visa issues have threatened a Worlds roster. Ahead of Worlds 2022 in North America, both GAM Esports and Saigon Buffalo faced delays and initial denials. They eventually secured visas for their full lineups, but the stress of that period was well documented.

For Top Esports, the next few weeks will be critical. They are still pursuing a third interview for ZUIAN, but they are not waiting on that outcome to finalize their roster. 369 is being prepared to play, which suggests that the team believes the risk of ZUIAN missing the entire tournament is too high to ignore.

This situation also raises questions about the support structures for international teams. While major organizations have legal and administrative teams to handle travel logistics, the final decision often rests with government agencies that operate on their own timelines. Teams can prepare, but they cannot control the outcome of a visa interview.

Ultimately, the goal is to have the best possible roster for the World Championship. If ZUIAN can secure a visa, Top Esports may choose to keep him on the roster, perhaps as a sub or even as the starter if 369's form is not as expected. If not, 369 will step in and carry the top lane role for the remainder of the tournament.

What Happens Next

The next few days will be decisive for Top Esports. The team will likely announce their final roster shortly before the Swiss Stage begins on October 23. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if ZUIAN makes the cut or if 369 becomes the face of the top lane for this year's event.

Regardless of the outcome, this incident serves as a reminder that esports is not just about gameplay. It is about logistics, preparation, and the ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges. Top Esports has shown that they can handle pressure, but this is a different kind of pressure, one that comes from outside the game itself.

For ZUIAN, this is a setback, but not a career-ending one. He has shown his talent and potential this season, and a missed Worlds appearance will not define his legacy. For 369, it is an opportunity to prove that his experience still matters in the modern LPL.

The World Championship is a stage where everything converges: talent, strategy, and luck. Top Esports is hoping that their luck holds, both in the visa office and in the arena. The next two weeks will reveal just how resilient they are in the face of adversity.