World Championship 2025 CFO Preview: Quarterfinal Berth on the Horizon?

Throughout the LCP this year, CFO has only dropped one series. That loss came against Team Secret Whales during the Season Kickoff. They have dominated the region, qualifying for every international event as the first seed. At First Stand, they had no expectations, but they shocked the world by winning a series against Karmine Corp, Team Liquid, and Top Esports, finishing in second place in the group stage. They fell to KC 3-2 in the semi-final after nearly achieving a reverse sweep.

Expectations had increased for MSI, but many were wondering if First Stand was a fluke. They continued to surprise, taking the eventual runners-up, T1, to five games and defeating Movistar KOI 3-1. They fell to Anyone’s Legend 3-1 and were knocked out of the tournament. Losses to Hanhwa Life and Movistar KOI in the EWC Group Stage would eliminate them from the competition.

JunJia is the Mastermind

In previous years, PSG Talon were the hope of the PCS region. One of the core parts of their success was JunJia. At the start of the LCP, JunJia moved over to CFO. He looked to continue his success and prove that he could help a different roster on the international stage. He has done just that this year, helping turn CFO into a dominant LCP team that is feared internationally.

He has led his team to victories over teams in every region, except the LCK. They came close to beating T1 at MSI, but fell in game five. JunJia is considered one of the best junglers at the World Championship. Given the pedigree of players in that role, it is a significant compliment for the Taiwanese jungler.

Can They Qualify for the Bracket Stage?

While eight LCK and LPL teams have qualified for the World Championship, one of those will be knocked out in the Play-In. The time for CFO to rise and qualify for the World Championship Bracket Stage is now. The position is not guaranteed, and they will face stern competition to qualify. FlyQuest, G2 Esports, and Movistar KOI are all teams that CFO must beat to achieve their goal. One other consideration to make is whether the Swiss Stage draw will be kind to them. Teams in the past have gotten unlucky or been rewarded in the Swiss Stage, and that might play a part in CFO’s run.

Expectations

CFO should be challenging for one of the spots in the Bracket Stage. They have what it takes to beat the majority of the teams at the World Championship. The only region that might be untouchable for them is the LCK, but with KT Rolster, anything is possible. They beat Top Esports before and have been successful against LEC and LTA teams, but now is the time for them to prove once and for all that they are better than the LEC and LTA.

Upcoming Journey

CFO begins the Swiss Stage at the World Championship in Pool 1. Their possible opponents are: KT/Top Esports (depending on Play-In result), T1/Invictus Gaming (depending on Play-In result), Fnatic, and 100 Thieves.