IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 1: Predictions for the 3-0 Teams
The Cathedral of Counter-Strike is once again the battleground for a Counter-Strike Major, with 16 teams eager to kick off the competition. From former champions like Liquid and Heroic to the up-and-coming Australian squad THUNDERdOWNUNDER, stage one serves as an exciting prelude before the title contenders take center stage in the later rounds. Here’s a rundown of the 16 teams competing in stage one at the IEM Cologne Major 2026.
These 16 teams represent the lower-seeded participants based on their VRS Ranking as of April 6, 2026, the cutoff for invites. The race for final points saw teams like FaZe and Passion UA miss the cut, while others like BIG secured their spots in Cologne. With only eight slots available for stage two, here’s who’s in the mix for stage one of the IEM Cologne Major 2026:
Many of the teams in stage one frequently clash in the VRS LAN circuit, leading to some clear favorites with impressive track records against their rivals.
GamerLegion: Each season, one team rises above the rest in stage one, and this time it’s GamerLegion. With a top-four finish and a finals appearance during the Americas leg, they’re well-positioned for at least a stage three finish.
BetBoom: While his time with NAVI filled his trophy cabinet, Boomb14 has truly made his mark as one of the top IGLs in Eastern Europe with BetBoom. The addition of fl4mus has elevated the roster, and their top-four finish at IEM Atlanta proves they can’t be underestimated. With strong firepower and leadership, BetBoom is ready to dominate stage one.
MIBR: In previous majors, it was easy to overlook MIBR due to their leadership struggles. However, the imports of LNZ and kl1m have finally allowed Insani to shine. Now leading a competitive squad, MIBR is set to surprise many with their firepower.
BIG: BlameF’s skills alone should have him on a top-tier roster, but he’s found a promising home with BIG. With gr1ks wielding the AWP, this roster looks more formidable than any of his past Fnatic teams. A return to stage two is the goal for BIG.
Heroic: Just on the edge of being favorites, Heroic still lacks a dedicated AWPer. However, ynxgstxr’s unconventional sniping has proven effective, and with the rifle skills of nilo and xfl0ud, they should have enough to advance through this stage.
B8: Benching an AWPer without a replacement can lead to disaster, but B8 has adapted well with s1zzi. With npl continuing to frag out, they have enough firepower to challenge the favorites closely.
SINNERS: The Czech organization has finally made it to the Major without oskar or NEOFRAG. Under beastik’s leadership, MoDo has developed into a solid tier two AWPer, a significant upgrade from his previous stints. While they may not have star power, SINNERS can match their opponents tactically.
Liquid: The fact that analysts hesitate to label Liquid as favorites even in stage one reflects management issues. Their underdog status is largely due to the star power of their players. If those stars don’t perform, Liquid risks an early exit.
NRG: It’s been seven years since nitr0’s IEM Cologne victory with Liquid, yet he remains the top North American IGL. With daps, NRG has the tactical side covered. Now, they just need oSee and Grim to replicate their domestic success.
TYLOO: Similar to BlameF on BIG, JamYoung is carrying the weight for TYLOO. His immense talent makes him a threat, but if opponents can contain him, TYLOO may struggle to advance.
M80: The combination of JBa and Lake was expected to elevate M80, but so far, neither has delivered. The team still relies heavily on their 27-year-old AWPer slaxz. Against more talented squads, M80 may find it hard to make an impact.
Lynn Vision: The trio of Starry, z4kr, and Westmelon has been a long-standing core in modern Counter-Strike, but they’ve yet to progress beyond being upset specialists. They might pull off a surprise win in a best-of-one, but don’t expect much beyond that.
Sharks: Coach coachi’s latest roster is the highest-ranked team Sharks has fielded since 2019. They’ve had consistent domestic results, including two title wins this season, and have recently defeated teams like 100T and Alliance. However, none of those teams were close to the Major, so Sharks will need some luck to avoid an 0-3.
Gaimin Gladiators: If felps had been on the roster, Gaimin Gladiators might have been dismissed as just another Brazilian team. However, fer’s last-minute return adds excitement. He was the standout player in Imperial’s last run in 2022, and with HEN1’s AWP, they have a balanced playstyle that could lead to upsets.
FlyQuest: The first of the two Australian teams, FlyQuest should be performing better than they are. While some attribute this to a lack of practice, it resembles Liquid’s situation. Dominating their region can only carry them so far, and if they don’t secure a significant win in stage one, they may need to rethink their strategy.
THUNDERdOWNUNDER: In contrast, TDU seems to be riding a wave of momentum. By participating in local LANs, this group of Australian friends has made it to the Major, with Dexter even taking vacation days from his job to compete. It’s a great story, but they may face a tough road ahead, with an 0-3 outcome looking likely.
