True Damage returns with the Worlds 2026 anthem, but the focus on Faker and T1 is wearing thin

The official anthem for the 2026 League of Legends World Championship is here, and it comes from True Damage, Riot's virtual group that many fans had been asking to bring back for a long time. However, the comeback hasn't sparked the unanimous excitement you might expect. According to the take published by PCGamesN, the song does its job and is even enjoyable, but the accompanying music video revolves so heavily around Faker and T1 that it ends up feeling more tiresome than thrilling.

Why does it matter? Because the Worlds anthem isn't just a promotional track: it's the calling card of the biggest LoL tournament of the year, the piece that gets replayed on streams, in highlight reels, edits and community content for weeks. When the visual storytelling of that anthem focuses almost exclusively on one player and one team, the message sent to the global scene is clear, and not everyone takes it equally well.

What you need to know

• The Worlds 2026 anthem is performed by True Damage, the virtual group made up of League of Legends champions.
• Musically, PCGamesN's verdict is positive: the song isn't grating and is easy to listen to.
• The main point of criticism is the music video, built around Faker and T1.
• The author of the piece admits to feeling burned out by that recurring spotlight.
• For those hoping for a big True Damage comeback, the result falls short.

A long-awaited return with a familiar narrative

True Damage holds a special place in the community's memory: it's one of those Riot projects that went beyond the game and connected with people who don't even log into Summoner's Rift every day. That's why its return to the Worlds stage raised high expectations. The idea of bringing back those versions of the champions, with their style and energy, promised an anthem capable of defining an era once again.

The problem, as PCGamesN puts it, lies less in the sound than in the story the video tells. Instead of exploring the True Damage universe or widening the lens to the variety of regions and teams competing at Worlds, the clip once again puts Faker and T1 at the center of everything. It's a narrative that works commercially, no one disputes that, but audiences have already seen it many times.

Who does this approach affect?

First of all, it affects fans from other regions, who may feel their team is mere set dressing in the tournament's big showcase. It also affects True Damage fans themselves, who expected the group to be the star of its own comeback rather than a backdrop for the game's most famous player. And, to a lesser extent, it affects the image of Worlds as an open competition where, in theory, anyone can lift the trophy.

Our take

At the Underworld Lordz newsroom, we're pretty clear on this: Faker is a legend and deserves all the recognition, but a world championship anthem shouldn't be a never-ending tribute to a single figure. We agree with PCGamesN's assessment that the fatigue is real. When the official narrative points to the same place every year, the chance to build new stars, new rivalries and new stories that hook the next generation of players is lost.

For those of us who compete and for content creators, this has practical consequences. An anthem with a more ensemble narrative offers far more to work with: it allows for reactions, breakdowns, region-by-region edits and debates about teams that don't always get attention. A video centered on a single protagonist limits that conversation and pushes everyone to talk about the same thing. And in a Spanish-speaking scene that has been demanding more visibility for years, that detail matters.

That said, we won't be unfair: if the song works, that's already half the battle. It makes sense for Riot to bet on what sells, but it also makes sense to ask for a bit more creative ambition, especially when bringing back a project as beloved as True Damage. The comeback deserved a video worthy of the group, not just another trailer starring the same protagonist.

What do you think?

Maybe the focus on Faker and T1 seems like the most logical thing in the world to you, or maybe you're as burned out as the PCGamesN author. One thing is clear: the Worlds 2026 anthem is up for debate. Are you sold on True Damage's return, or do you think Riot should give more of the spotlight to other regions and teams? Drop by the team chat or our Discord and tell us where you stand.