The winners of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 completely missing out on the very next CS2 Major was likely not on anyone’s bingo card, yet here we are.
Following a heartbreaking defeat against BIG in the grand final of HLC Belgrade Pro, FaZe finds itself unable to qualify for the upcoming IEM Cologne 2026 CS2 Major, ending a historic decade-long streak for the team.
After losing against fnatic in DraculaN Season 6, FaZe entered the HLC Belgrade Pro event in a last-ditch attempt to secure qualification for IEM Cologne 2026. This move leaves the organization at a significant disadvantage heading into the next VRS season, as they will begin PGL Bucharest 2026 with a 0-2 record.
Unfortunately, though, despite climbing to the finals of HLC Belgrade Pro with a flawless record, FaZe got narrowly bested by BIG in the grand final of the tournament.
While FaZe managed to secure a win on Dust 2 with a comfortable 13-3 lead, BIG mounted a successful comeback in the second map, edging past FaZe in a 13-11 victory. The decider map, Anubis, was pretty much a one-sided domination from BIG as FaZe could only grab 3 rounds before their opponents closed out the map. The series ended 2-1 in favor of BIG, crushing FaZe’s dreams of attending the Major.
This marks the first time in the organization’s history that FaZe has failed to qualify for a CS2 Major. Since entering the scene in 2016, the organization has appeared in every Major until now, bringing an end to one of the longest-standing streaks in Counter-Strike.
With the team forced to start PGL Bucharest 2026 from a 0-2 deficit after forfeiting early matches due to the scheduling clash, FaZe effectively find themselves beginning the next VRS cycle on the back foot, which means their struggles may be far from over.
