Dplus KIA and Hanwha Life Esports play in the final match of the Esports World Cup Korean Qualifier. The winner snatches South Korea’s fourth seed at the EWC 2026 in Paris. The loser, on the other hand, has to hope that one of the two qualifier winners also wins Road to MSI. If that happens, they’ll receive the duplicated spot.
Betting tip: Both teams are in considerably different form today. By now, HLE far outperforms DK and they should take this match home.
My Dplus KIA vs Hanwha Life Esports pick: Over 3.5 maps at 1.42 odds at GG.BET.
| Match | Dplus KIA vs Hanwha Life Esports – Esports World Cup 2026 Online Qualifier: Korea |
|---|---|
| Kick-off | May 26, 2026, at 9am CET / 12am PST |
| Top pick | Hanwha Life Esports to win, over 3.5 games |
| Best price | GG.BET live odds |
| Betting favorite | Hanwha Life Esports |
This match has higher stakes for DK than for their opponent. Teams have two remaining ways to qualify for the EWC: either by snatching a spot here, or by winning Road to MSI. However, only a team that finishes in first or second at the end of the LCK Rounds 1-2 can win the latter.
HLE is almost certain to finish in the top two and winning either of their remaining series will guarantee it. On top of it, their opponent there might be Gen.G, who already secured their spot by winning last year’s EWC. In other words, HLE’s EWC qualification is likely no matter what happens today.
As for DK, they’re locked in fifth place in the LCK. For them, they need to win today, or to hope that HLE or T1 wins Road to MSI, or they’re out. Yet they’re entering this match as heavy underdogs.
Dplus KIA started the LCK Rounds 1-2 as one of the great, going toe to toe with KT Rolster and Hanwha Life, even above Gen.G and T1. As those teams grew stronger, they failed to follow suit, and now sit clearly below the top four. Until HANJIN BRION’s recent shortcomings, they even risked falling down to the Rise group.
DK has Heo “ShowMaker” Su who remains solid, still surprising through unbridled creativity. The rest of the players can show up vastly differently from one series to the next, though, much to the displeasure of their coach. DK can attain leads, but holding onto them is another story.
HLE, on the other hand, packs a combination of solid players all in excellent form. While their jungler and support can have “happy games” sometimes, they always have someone to pick up the slack.
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Dplus KIA to win | 3.88 |
| Hanwha Life Esports to win | 1.24 |
| Over 3.5 maps | 1.42 |
| Under 3.5 maps | 2.74 |
LoL betting odds via GG.BET, 1am CET May 26, 2026
DK faces HLE in the hopes of pulling off a second upset in the EWC Qualifier. Image source: Riot Games
DK is no longer solid enough to win a Bo5 against HLE. The lack of fundamentals are too worrisome when put up against HLE’s great laning, macro, and ability to come back
Our Dplus KIA vs Hanwha Life Esports prediction: HLE as the match winner 3-1 at 1.24 odds via GG.BET.
Featured image source: Riot Games
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