After hearing rumors that numerous teams from the region have had their visa requests denied, fingers are crossed for the VCS teams traveling to the 2022 League of Legends World Championship.
According to news site Bongdaplus, GAM Esports, the VCS Summer 2022 champions and top seed from Vietnam, apparently had their application for a visa to the United States rejected. Nevertheless, they still have two weeks to reapply for the visa. It is getting near to the competition, and the region runs the risk of missing Worlds once more since Saigon Buffalo apparently did not have a visa for Mexico.
In response to the reports on social media, Riot Games’ global president of esports Naz Aletaha stated that the team is “working with the government reps to do whatever we can to get GAM to Worlds.” The visa could still be rejected, which would prevent both teams from taking part in the biggest competition of the year.
Since the beginning of COVID-19, the VCS has missed numerous international competitions and hasn’t been able to travel to a World Championship since 2019. The 2022 Mid-Season Invitational, where Saigon Buffalo advanced to the tournament’s Rumble stage, was the only foreign competition in which the VCS has been able to compete.
It is unknown which teams will step up if the VCS is unable to attend Worlds this year, or if the tournament’s schedule will need to be changed as a result of the absent teams. Before the tournament begins, other large areas may receive an additional slot, or teams from other minor regions may receive an additional slot.