Fnatic Upset, Hylissang Worlds 2022 Trips Delayed After Positive COVID-19 Tests

Citing positive COVID-19 tests, AD carry Elias "Upset" Lipp and support Zdravets "Hylissang" Iliev Galabov will see delayed starts to their 2022 League of Legends World Championship runs for Fnatic.

The announcement was made by Fnatic on Twitter Friday, mentioning that its bot lane's trip to Mexico is delayed until further notice.

"We are current working closely with Riot on the matter and doing absolutely everything within our power to ensure our team arrives safely ahead of their first match on the 29th of September," Fnatic's statement reads. "Our players' health and well-being are our first and foremost priority. Both players are feeling okay, and we wish them a speedy recovery!"

As tweeted by Fnatic content creator Pete "Swallaspaa" Nguyen about 12 hours later, it does appear Martin "Wunder" Hansen, Marek "Humanoid" Brázda and Iván "Razork" Martín have successfully made the team's flight as planned.

After finishing fifth in the 2022 LEC Summer split standings, Fnatic leapfrogged Misfits Gaming and MAD Lions to be the No. 3-seeded representative for Europe at Worlds 2022.

By virtue of the premier yearly international tournament's schedule, however, Fnatic is scheduled to compete right from the jump, facing off against Evil Geniuses on Thursday, Sept. 29 in Round 1 of the Play-In Stage.

The World Play-In stage will take place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 4 at the Arena Esports Stadium in Mexico City.

The top-four teams will advance to the Group Stage of Worlds 2022 in New York City.

UPDATE 9/28/22: Per Fnatic, both Upset and Hylissand are now testing negative. Upset has arrived in Mexico City and will be available against EG and Chiefs Esports Club. Hylissang will miss the games, however, as he's planning to make his flight Thursday. Fnatic TQ support Rúben "rhuckz" Barbosa will sub in for Hylissang in the meantime.