Groups and gamers to observe

Following the conclusion of IEM Kraków 2026, the eye of the Counter-Strike 2 group rapidly turns in direction of PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026. 

The subsequent cease in a packed Tier 1 occasion calendar sees the world’s greatest groups in motion as soon as once more, competing for a share of its $625,000 (~£456.940) prize pool.  

With a number of notable names in attendance and quite a few groups seeking to keep it up momentum forward of the June’s Cologne Main, Esports Insider takes a take a look at the groups and gamers to observe all through the event.

The French AWPer’s razor-sharp reactions proceed to be a key part of the workforce’s latest run of dominant kind in Tier 1 tournaments. Along with his scientific precision with a sniper in hand, ZywOo isn’t any stranger to choosing up a rifle to make an impression at nearer distances alongside the remainder of his workforce.

Armed with wonderful proficiency with the AWP and a rifle, ZywOo has the potential to spearhead Group Vitality to an eleventh Tier 1 trophy within the final 12 months. Group Vitality begins its Cluj-Napoca marketing campaign towards G2 Esports within the opening spherical of Swiss stage matches on February 14th.

Whether or not it’s FaZe Clan magic or an uncharacteristically poor efficiency, Finn ‘Karrigan’ Andersen nonetheless stays considered one of Counter-Strike’s most skilled in-game leaders competing in Tier 1 competitions.

Whereas his in-game statistics hardly ever seem on the high of the scoreboard, Karrigan continues to guide a workforce hoping to rediscover the shape that noticed it make an unprecedented run to the Grand Remaining of final 12 months’s Budapest Main. Throughout IEM Kraków, the Dane displayed his ability with one-versus-two clutches towards MOUZ and 3DMAX earlier than bowing out within the Group Stage.

Regardless of FaZe Clan’s hit-and-miss kind, Karrigan maintains his place as an integral a part of the workforce’s operation because it appears to rediscover itself.

Group Falcons’ entry fragger René ‘TeSeS’ Madsen has struggled to search out consistency to date in 2026. Nonetheless, he has helped lead the workforce’s cost in direction of the highest of the worldwide standings. 

All through Group Falcons’ IEM Kraków run, the Danish rifler suffered from inconsistent performances regardless of the occasional demonstration of scientific accuracy in high-pressure situations. Whereas latest performances haven’t gone in favour of TeSeS or his workforce, you will need to nonetheless spotlight that the workforce has toppled Group Vitality this 12 months and completed second at BLAST Bounty Winter 2026.

PGL Cluj-Napoca offers a brand new alternative for the Dane to bounce again on the stage of one other Tier 1 event. Group Falcons faces off towards 3DMAX in a rematch from the IEM Kraków Group Stage.

After sweeping apart the all-French roster with relative ease, an improved TeSeS might outcome within the workforce going one higher after ending final 12 months’s PGL Cluj-Napoca in second place behind MOUZ.

Since returning to the highest of Counter-Strike with a win at BLAST Open London 2025, G2 Esports has floated around the globe’s high 10 groups, briefly showcasing its true potential.

The worldwide roster started its season with a top-six end in Kraków, falling to MOUZ within the quarter-finals. A robust exhibiting from Matúš ‘matys’ Šimk towards MOUZ and an exhilarating Group Stage match towards Group Spirit demonstrated that the roster is slowly gathering the momentum required to make a deep run in a high-profile event. 

Nonetheless, G2 Esports has the difficult activity of competing towards Group Vitality in its first PGL Cluj-Napoca match. Having proven it can provide the likes of Group Spirit a run for its cash, there’s an opportunity that G2 Esports can spring a shock.

Aurora Gaming remained among the many high groups all through the 2025 season with frequent playoff appearances. Nonetheless, a top-20 end on the PGL Budapest Main rounded off a 12 months the place consistency was troublesome to construct on. 

The arrival of Caner ‘soulfly’ Kesici to the all-Turkish workforce has injected a brand new lease of life into the workforce. Along with soulfly’s high-impact rifling, in-game chief Engin ‘MAJ3R’ Küpeli has additionally hit kind, typically maintaining Aurora Gaming in competition towards the perfect opposition.

Aurora Gaming isn’t any stranger to success at PGL-operated occasions, securing victory at Masters Bucharest 2025 with its earlier line-up. A gap-round match towards last-minute additions FUT Esports can lay the foundations for the workforce because it appears to proceed its promising begin to 2026.

FaZe Clan stays an enigma in Counter-Strike esports. On some events, all components of the workforce fireplace on all cylinders to ship wonderful outcomes on the large stage. On others, the workforce is outclassed in all areas, leading to elimination from tournaments on the first hurdle.

The workforce performed three matches at IEM Kraków, scoring a solitary victory towards BC.Sport earlier than MOUZ despatched the Pink Militia packing with a 2-0 scoreline. Even by itself map picks, holes within the FaZe Clan offence and defence typically seem, enabling its opposition to run away with leads which might be unattainable to beat. 

Cluj-Napoca might yield loads of VRS factors to maintain FaZe Clan among the many groups receiving a direct invite to IEM Cologne Main Stage 3. Relying on which iteration of FaZe Clan decides to point out up in Romania, its opening match towards HEROIC will set the tone for what might show to be a important event for a workforce greater than able to contending for outright victory.