Worlds 2022 marks the first time Vietnamese VCS teams will be able to attend since 2019 due to the pandemic. VCS are allocated 2 slots at Worlds but securing visas for the event seems way more arduous than placing top 2 in the region.
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GAM esports are guaranteed to be at Worlds with 6/8 members present
The number 1 seed of the region is only missing their jungler Levi and head coach Jackie Wind, and Jackie’s attendance is arguably dispensable.
Official announcement from GAM’s twitter:
GAM previously had not overcome the visa qualifiers for Mid-Season Invitational 2022 despite being 1st seed and far more dominant than Saigon Buffalo, who managed 5-6th at the event.
GAM’s appearance at Worlds is certainly going to shake up Vietnamese and League fans alike, with their Group C (Top Esports, Rogue, GAM, +1) dubbed by DWG.ShowMaker ‘group of death’
Their Vietnamese brethren Saigon Buffalo however aren’t as fortunate with the visa process
As of September 20th, SGB are still missing visas for their jungler BeanJ, midlaner Froggy and ADC Shogun
Official SGB twitter account posted:
They have until 26th to make it on time for Worlds play-in. SGB and Riot are doing all they can to finalize the process. The results should be out on the 25th or 26th and hopefully will be positive.
Vietnamese teams have historically struggled making it to international events due to relative low strength of the VN visas. It doesn’t help that Worlds 2022 will take place in Mexico and especially the U.S. where the visa process is notoriously strict.
It’s saddening that a whole year of hard work and training can go down the drain if you happen to be born in the wrong country. We pray for good news from the embassy!
