FaZe at Risk of Missing IEM Cologne Major, Can They Still Qualify?
Teams are making one last push to secure their invitations to the upcoming IEM Cologne Major 2026 by collecting VRS points. However, one team that might be getting the shorter end of the stick is the previous Major finalist – FaZe Clan.
FaZe Predicted to Barely Miss Out on IEM Cologne
According to calculations made by community member MischiefCS2 on X, FaZe Clan are currently not predicted to qualify for the next CS2 Major, finding themselves just one slot away from securing an invitation. The karrigan-led squad are just below Gentle Mates, BIG Clan, and K27.
IEM Cologne Invite Predictions (Image via @MischiefCS2)
In December 2025, FaZe Clan mounted a huge run at the StarLadder Budapest Major. They clawed their way all the way from Stage 1 to the Grand Final, where they lost to Team Vitality. Months later, they’re in a conversation of not making the Major at all.
How Can FaZe Still Qualify for the Major?
MischiefCS2 gave FaZe a 47.4% chance of qualifying for the Major. With the VRS cutoff set to April 6, FaZe Clan are scrambling to find as many VRS points as possible within the two coming weeks. They have signed up for two lower-tier tournaments, which are:
| Event | Dates | Prize Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Crusade DraculaN Season 5 | March 29 – April 2 | $15,000 |
| HLC Belgrade PRO 2026 | April 3 – April 6 | $30,000 |
FaZe will have to play back-to-back tournaments, and most importantly, win these events to secure as many points as possible. Considering they are favorites to win these tournaments, they have a realistic chance of getting the job done.
Decisions to be Made
Though their plan of playing those two events are pretty solid, there’s a problem. FaZe are also signed up to play PGL Bucharest 2026, an S-tier tournament with a $1.25 million prize pool. Realistically, the best CS2 teams will be playing in Bucharest, giving FaZe opportunities to secure VRS rankings.
The biggest issue is, PGL Bucharest is scheduled for April 4 to April 11. Not only does this clash with their HLC Belgrade PRO schedule, but the tournament also finds itself between the VRS deadline of April 6.
MischiefCS2 believes that, if FaZe Clan do not head to HLC Belgrade PRO after DraculaN Season 5, there is a very high chance they’ll miss the Major. This means FaZe will have to decide between playing in PGL Bucharest or HLC Belgrade PRO.
The Next Two Weeks of Counter-Strike
FaZe Clan aren’t the only ones looking to secure an invitation to the Major. There are many other notable teams fighting the same battle. Teams like Gentle Mates, BIG Clan, and K27 are currently within Major-invite territory, but haven’t guaranteed their slots yet.
Meanwhile, teams like Ninjas in Pyjamas, Passion UA, BetBoom Team, and B8 are on the same boat as FaZe. They’re also making one last sprint for a crack at IEM Cologne, meaning FaZe have some competition.
Though tournaments like DraculaN or HLC Belgrade PRO don’t have the largest prize pools, the real reward is securing the Major invite. The pressure is on, and these low-tier events might break viewership records considering what’s on the line.
Feature Credit: StarLadder
Owen lives for competition, spending most of his gaming hours on Dota 2, CS2, and Valorant. A regular on the SEA Dota 2 leaderboards, he combines his first-hand experience with a deep passion for esports journalism, following the professional scenes of all three esports betting titles religiously. When he’s not writing, he’s most probably betting on esports and watching the latest events.
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