Following the post-Main break, IEM Kraków 2026 is the primary occasion of the yr hosted by ESL, marking the beginning of the ESL Professional Tour. The highest 24 groups in Valve’s first-person shooter will compete within the Polish metropolis for an opportunity to win a share of $1m (~£726,850) in prize cash.
With the world’s greatest groups in attendance, Esports Insider takes a have a look at gamers to look out for in what is ready to be a extremely aggressive match.
Can mezii Proceed His Robust Begin?
Workforce Vitality’s William ‘mezii’ Merriman seems to be to construct on a robust begin to the 2026 season with a strong efficiency in Kraków. Whereas the French esports organisation was bested by Workforce Falcons at BLAST Bounty Season 1, Mezii’s ace in opposition to Virtus.professional within the on-line qualifiers is likely one of the season’s early highlights.
All through 2025, the British participant cemented his place as one of many world’s greatest anchors, taking part in an integral position in Workforce Vitality’s usually unbreakable defence. With 2026 already off to a robust begin with one other top-four end at BLAST Bounty Season 1, the workforce continues to place itself in competition for championship glory.
mezii and Workforce Vitality will start their IEM Kraków 2026 marketing campaign in Group B. With FaZe Clan on the identical facet of the bracket, there’s a risk of the StarLadder Budapest Main finalists dealing with off earlier than groups head to the TAURON Area for the playoffs.
All Eyes on Krimbo
After navigating its means by way of a extremely aggressive closed qualifier at BLAST Bounty, Workforce Liquid appears to have turned a nook following a turbulent 2025 season. Nonetheless, forward of the primary ESL-sanctioned occasion of the yr, the organisation introduced that Keith ‘NAF’ Markovic received’t be attending IEM Kraków because of household issues.
Consequently, German lurker Karim ‘Krimbo’ Moussa will step in as a short lived stand-in, making his first Tier 1 look in six months. Krimbo final competed at Fragadelphia Blocktober, with BIG scoring a top-eight end, ensuing within the workforce lacking out on a spot on the Budapest Main.
Workforce Liquid will start its IEM Kraków 2026 run as one in every of 16 groups competing within the occasion’s Play-In stage. The refreshed roster will play in opposition to Ninjas in Pyjamas in a BLAST Bounty rematch because it seems to be to safe a spot within the Group Stage and not using a full-strength roster.
The Rise of xiELO
Since becoming a member of Parivision in June 2025, Valdislav ‘xiELO’ Lysov has shortly established himself as one in every of Counter-Strike’s rising stars. A robust displaying within the BLAST Bounty Grand Remaining noticed the rifler fend off 4 opponents and full a one-versus-two clutch with ease, serving to the all-Russian facet raise its first Tier 1 trophy.
Following its spectacular efficiency at BLAST Bounty, Parivision has skyrocketed in direction of the highest of the worldwide VRS and now has the chance to hold its momentum into Poland, the organisation’s second high-profile occasion of the yr.
With loads of consideration on xiELO as he beneficial properties extra Tier 1 expertise, the 19-year-old has the expertise required to raise Parivision amongst the world’s greatest groups as focus shifts in direction of qualification for the IEM Cologne Main.
Can FalleN Lead FURIA to Glory?
FURIA headed into the Budapest Main because the workforce to beat after securing 4 match victories within the house of three months. A top-eight end on the Main allowed the workforce to carry onto the highest spot in January’s VRS. With Gabriel ‘FalleN’ Toledo on the helm, FURIA positioned within the prime 4 at BLAST Bounty Season 1 after its marketing campaign got here to an finish by the hands of an in-form Parivision facet.
At 34, FalleN is likely one of the oldest Counter-Strike gamers competing on the highest stage. Armed with a wealth of expertise as an in-game chief, an AWPer, and a rifler, he stays a precious asset for a workforce hoping to retain its place on the prime of the worldwide standings.
After lacking out on consecutive Grand Finals since victory at BLAST Rivals Fall 2025, a robust efficiency from FalleN in Kraków will level the workforce within the route of one other playoff look.
The Return of S1mple
IEM Kraków will see Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev compete at an Intel Excessive Masters occasion for the primary time in three years. Following BC.GAME’s acquisition of the previous SAW core, the workforce inherited a spot within the prime 25 of the VRS to earn a spot at its second-ever Tier 1 match.
Extensively thought to be one of many biggest gamers in Counter-Strike’s historical past, s1mple’s return to a high-profile occasion marks the newest chapter in his storied profession. To this point, the Ukrainian legend has struggled to safe locations in notable competitions, making his Kraków look all of the extra vital as BC.GAME goals to carry on to its excessive VRS standing.
BC.GAME faces off in opposition to Legacy in its opening Play-In match, and a victory can spark a run into the Group Stage, together with securing precious VRS factors that can show essential in s1mple’s quest to return to the Main stage as soon as once more.
