The race to the IEM Cologne 2026 Major concluded on Sunday after weeks of non-stop LAN action in multiple regions, with FaZe among the standout teams who could not qualify for the showpiece event.
Finn "karrigan" Andersen 's side had their destiny in their own hands heading into the final day of HLC Belgrade PRO, only to fall at the last hurdle, losing to BIG in the grand final of the Serbian event.
It's a heavy blow for FaZe , who will miss their first-ever Major since the North American organization entered Counter-Strike in 2016. FaZe have the joint-fourth-most Major appearances at 16, only behind Natus Vincere (23), fnatic (18), and Ninjas in Pyjamas and MOUZ (17).
Less than four months ago, FaZe were playing the grand final of the Budapest Major after barely avoiding elimination in Stage 1. But the team failed to build on that miracle run, stumbling through the first three months of 2026 and finding themselves scrambling for Valve points as the Major cutoff drew closer.
Shortly after the loss to BIG , karrigan and David "frozen" Čerňanský did not hide their disappointment over the failed Major qualification campaign, with the Danish tactician going as far as describing it as the "lowest point of my career."
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Several community figures have also taken to X to share their thoughts on FaZe missing the Major, with many stating that this is the best opportunity for them to change course.
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Others have highlighted that frozen has remained a steady performer despite the chaos around him.
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