Team Nemesis, Lindorfitos, and RisingRage have advanced to the closed qualifiers for The International 2026 in South America. The teams emerged victorious from the region’s first open qualifier and will continue their quest for a spot in the year’s premier Dota 2 tournament.
The second open qualifiers in South America will take place on June 11–12. Two more spots in the closed qualifiers will be up for grabs there. The closed stage of the South American qualifiers will be held online from June 15 to 19, and its winner will receive the region’s sole slot at The International 2026.
For Winio, this story is interesting not only as a result of the first open qualifiers, but as an example of why the format matters in qualifying predictions. Open qualifiers often proceed quickly and ruthlessly: a single losing streak can end a team’s run, while a single successful day can dramatically boost a team’s standing ahead of the closed qualifiers.
Team Nemesis stands out as the most notable name among the teams that advanced. The roster features players with international experience, including 4nalog, Jabz, Lelis, and YamSun. Such a roster is easier to evaluate not only based on open qualifier results but also on individual skill level, experience against strong opponents, and the ability to handle pressure in decisive series.
For Lindorfitos and RisingRage, advancing from the open qualifiers will be more than just a result it will be a test of their readiness for a tougher bracket. In the closed qualifiers, it won’t be enough for them to simply get lucky with a matchup; they’ll need to demonstrate depth in their drafts, consistency across series, and the ability to adapt against teams that are better prepared for a specific opponent.
For fans, the main focus isn’t simply the fact of advancing to the closed qualifiers, but how the team achieved it. It’s important to look at who they beat, how confidently they navigated the BO3 series, and what their drafts looked like.
Winio approach helps avoid reducing the analysis of such qualifiers to just a team’s name or a single winning series. In the closed qualifiers, Team Nemesis, Lindorfitos, and RisingRage will face better-prepared opponents, so the outcome will depend not only on current form but also on the quality of the opposition, the players’ experience, and their consistency in knockout matches.
The open qualifiers gave South America its first contenders for the closed stage. Now the main question is not just who advanced, but who will be able to confirm this result when the stakes are even higher.
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