Visa Rejection Forces Top Esports to Bench ZUIAN for 369 Before Worlds

The thing that will likely cost Top Esports their world championship run isn't a bad draft or a missed ultimate. It is a stamp in a passport. The organization confirmed on Tuesday that Cheng Zihao, playing as ZUIAN, failed two separate interviews for a US visa. This bureaucratic stumble means the young prodigy will probably sit out his debut at the 2026 World Championship.

The clock is ticking down to the event. Top Esports enters the Swiss Stage in Allen, Texas on October 23. With the deadline looming, the team has already pulled the emergency lever. They are reinstating veteran Bai Jia-Hao, known as 369, to take the starting top lane spot. It is a painful reality for a squad that just secured a top three seed from the LPL.

The Bureaucratic Hurdle

ZUIAN had a breakout year. He moved into the starting lineup earlier this season and helped push the team all the way to the LPL Split 2 Grand Final. His international debut at MSI went smoothly. Now, administrative red tape stands between him and the biggest stage of the year.

The team has not disclosed why the visa applications were denied. They are currently pursuing a third interview. It is a long shot. The window for travel is closing fast. Meanwhile, the rest of the roster is preparing in a different environment, likely in a region where they do not face these specific travel restrictions.

The Veteran Return

369 has not played a competitive match since being replaced by ZUIAN earlier this year. His return is not just a substitution. It is a shift in the team's tactical identity. 369 brings a decade of experience to a roster that has been young and aggressive.

He knows the pressure of international play. He was part of the JD Gaming roster that reached the Worlds semifinals in 2023. He also faced T1 in the 2025 semifinals. His presence adds a layer of composure that the team may need to navigate the Swiss Stage and beyond.

A Widespread Problem

This is not an isolated incident. According to reports from LPL content creator Summoner Park, two of Top Esports' coaches are also facing visa issues. Coach He Wen-Bo reportedly failed his second interview. Li Yu-Ming is scheduled for his second interview on Thursday.

The ripple effect of these denials could be significant. If the coaches cannot travel, the team loses its strategic backbone. The organization has not announced if they will be replaced. This uncertainty hangs over the entire Worlds campaign.

Historical Context

Visa issues have threatened Worlds rosters before. In 2022, both GAM Esports and Saigon Buffalo faced delays and initial denials. They eventually secured visas for their full lineups. The outcome was different this time, or so it seems.

The difference is the timing. The 2026 World Championship starts on October 15. The Swiss Stage begins on October 23. There is no time to spare. The team must lock in its roster and travel plans immediately.

What Comes Next

The next few days are critical. If the third interview fails, 369 becomes the permanent top laner for the tournament. If it succeeds, ZUIAN joins the roster in Texas. Either way, the team is now playing catch-up with a situation that is outside their control.

This incident highlights a fragile aspect of the global esports industry. Talent is not the only barrier to success. Access is just as important. As the tournament approaches, the focus shifts from in-game performance to off-field logistics.