Darkish horses, greatest groups, and gamers to observe

The ESL One Birmingham 2026 qualifiers have concluded, and 9 groups have secured a spot on the occasion in March 2026. ESL One Birmingham is the primary main Dota 2 LAN match hosted by ESL in 2026, with qualifiers operating from January 16 to twenty, leading to notable outcomes.

Just a few fan-favourite groups have made it to the principle occasion, however some darkish horses have slipped by way of as nicely, and if groups will not be cautious, they may simply get knocked out by an sudden opponent. A few of these groups comprise the perfect Dota 2 gamers, together with rising stars, and so they may shake up the competitors in unexpected methods.

So which groups ought to we watch, and which could shock viewers? This preview for ESL One Birmingham 2026 ought to inform you every little thing you must learn about March’s premier Dota 2 occasion.

Tundra Esports is sort of probably the staff most followers have on their ESL One Birmingham 2026 predictions to win all of it. With the current momentum from successful 4 BLAST Slam occasions and ending robust in nearly each different match in 2025, Tundra Esports may simply be the staff that brings dwelling the large one for WEU.

With a lineup boasting a number of the greatest Dota 2 gamers in each single function, Tundra Esports is definitely one of many extra predictable fan-favourites going into ESL One Birmingham 2026.

After being relegated to Tier Two for almost all of the final three years, OG is lastly making a comeback within the Tier One professional scene, with a number of the greatest Dota 2 gamers in its new SEA roster. Not solely has the staff carried out exceptionally nicely within the tail finish of 2025, however OG has additionally defeated a number of the high names at the moment.

​Despite the fact that the staff didn’t win any of the foremost occasions in 2025, we really feel just like the SEA iteration of OG is younger and hungry sufficient to go toe-to-toe with the perfect gamers in Dota 2 at the moment.

MOUZ was not on many viewers’ radars in 2025. When the staff reformed in September 2025 with a brand new roster, its efficiency improved considerably. A balanced mixture of previous and new gamers led to robust cohesion and synergy, as MOUZ went on to win PGL Wallachia Season 6 in November 2025.

​MOUZ additionally crushed fan-favourites, Workforce Liquid, within the ESL One Birmingham 2026 qualifiers, ending its eight-year-long streak of attending each ESL Dota 2 occasion. With such momentum going into the group levels, MOUZ is a staff that can’t be underestimated.

One other fascinating staff to observe is REKONIX, the newly fashioned SEA staff that will have flown underneath the radar for a lot of viewers, because it was not included in predictions for ESL One Birmingham 2026. Quickly after its formation in July 2025, the staff started to make a reputation for itself, successful a number of smaller EPL tournaments within the SEA area.

​Whereas a lot of the REKONIX gamers may not be family names but, they’re on their approach to turning into a number of the greatest gamers in Dota 2 at the moment and may shock many viewers at ESL One Birmingham 2026.

For a very long time, Crystallis was synonymous with Workforce Secret. As soon as Crystallis separated from the group, he discovered success wherever he went. Whether or not enjoying for Parivision, Tundra Esports, or MOUZ, Crystallis cemented himself as one of many high carry gamers in fashionable Dota 2.

​Now, with the teaching of ImmortalFaith and the steerage of gamers like Seleri and MidOne, Crystallis may simply be probably the greatest Dota 2 gamers on the earth at the moment, and the MOUZ standout participant to observe on this match.

If there have been one skilled participant who had a tough run all through his profession, it must be the standout Indonesian midlaner, inYourdreaM. Not solely has he performed as each a midlaner and a safelaner in his profession, however inYourdreaM has excelled at each roles within the tier 2 scene. Nevertheless, he by no means acquired the break he deserved, enjoying for 16 totally different groups in his early profession with out breaking by way of the proverbial glass ceiling.

​Now, because the midlaner for REKONIX, inYourdreaM has an opportunity to cement his legacy as probably the greatest gamers in Dota 2. Whether or not REKONIX goes to attain success towards extra established groups is but to be seen, but when there’s one factor Dota 2 viewers have discovered through the years, it’s that you simply by no means depend the underdogs out.