MoonMeander complained about the rules and seeding for the group stage of The International 2026
1w Team coach David “MoonMeander” Tan spoke out about the rules for The International 2026 and complained about the group stage seeding in a vlog on the team’s YouTube channel.
The quote is reproduced with the source’s spelling and punctuation intact
The way the bracket is formed makes the matches quite challenging. They seed teams based on the highest number of wins. As a result, we faced very strong teams throughout the group stage. We played against Nigma Galaxy, who had a 4-1 record; against BetBoom Team; against Team Falcons, who were 3-2; against Team Yandex, whom nobody wanted to face at all; and against Team Liquid, who were also 4-1! Of the top teams, we only didn’t play against PARIVISION. It’s
clear they’re doing what they’re supposed to, but why is that the case? Also, at every tournament over the past ten years I’ve coached, coaches have been on TeamSpeak during the draft, but for some reason that’s not the case at this Int. If I want to talk to a player during the draft, I have to shout across the room or walk back and forth. I wore myself out today! I don’t get the point of all this. Why is there such a rule? They’re monitoring this, but not the bracket? Strange!
Earlier, 1w Team defeated GamerLegion 2-0 and advanced to the playoffs of The International 2026. The team’s next match in the year’s biggest tournament will take place on August 20 at 5:00 a.m. Moscow time against Team Spirit.
