STYKO on why FUT are dark horses, how Spirit can win the Major, and why FURIA have no chance
As has been the case for the last two Majors, Vitality enter the first Major of 2026, IEM Cologne, being just about everyone’s favourite to win the competition.
But with a loss against NAVI at IEM Atlanta and the recent performances of Spirit throwing Vitality’s gap at the top into doubt, we sat down with STYKO to discuss the various teams and their chances of actually lifting Counter-Strike’s most coveted trophy.
Team Spirit
Having absolutely blown away the competition at both PGL Astana and in Stage 2 in Cologne, Spirit have established themselves as the second best team in the world right now, and without a doubt the closest to snatching Vitality’s crown.
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donk has been performing in a way that exceeds even his usual self, and his 2.27 rating in Stage 2 will have put all the top teams on notice as they now once again live in fear of the wonderkid.
STYKO says:
“I think Spirit could win the Major because what we've seen from them so far in Stage 2 is quite unprecedented. Playing this well, commanding wins on the back of donk, but doing so coach-less is pretty impressive.
I'm not quite sure how magixx will fare against better opposition as an IGL without a coach; I'm not sure he can create backup game plans as the game progresses. This is where I think Hally's overview or S0tf1k's overview is going to be missing, and we're unsure of whether they're going to be joining them in the next stage.
But, I do think that what donk showed is world class, it was fucking absurd. It's something that can definitely carry them through Stage 3 and into the playoffs. If the draw is going to be good, like sh1ro said, if someone else takes care of Vitality I think Spirit will be winning the Major.”
Falcons
Falcons, although seemingly incapable of winning in a grand final, are a team that can never be counted out.
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Brimming with firepower from NiKo, kyousuke, and m0NESY, they were recently bolstered in the leadership department by the arrival of karrigan, and the GOAT IGL candidate has many believing that NiKo might finally get his Major win in Cologne.
STYKO says:
“For me they are a dark horse. I wouldn't necessarily include them in the list of teams that can win, but if I had to put a percentage to it, I would say there's a 10% chance of them winning the Major. Which is not a lot, but it's a hail mary play with karrigan coming into it.
They're a good team up until that final curse, which is why I'm giving them such a low chance. I think they will make the semi-finals for sure, they should at least do that with the team they have. But the grand final curse is so routed inside some players' heads that I don't see it personally being broken this Major, or maybe in future Majors as well. Especially when it comes to NiKo or maybe even karrigan. I'm not sure how that goes.
I have to put them up there, I think they will definitely have a deep run, but in the grand final they could literally meet PARIVISION and I would put PARIVISION winning that best-of-five.”
NAVI
Although Spirit’s recent performances may have nudged them ahead of NAVI in the eyes of many, before that, NAVI were the undisputed second best in the world.
They’ve won two trophies this year - ESL Pro League Season 23 and IEM Atlanta - with the second of those including a win over Vitality in the quarter-finals. The value of that win can’t be understated considering how long it took to come, and with w0nderful and makazze hitting their stride at the perfect moment, a repeat of PGL Copenhagen 2024 could definitely be on the cards.
STYKO says:
“I think I would also put NAVI at a 10% chance, their biggest strength in my opinion is the preparation and the game plan. I think B1ad3 is currently the best tactical coach we have, or at least the strongest personality. I can't quite point out how XTQZZ for example works with Vitality, but with NAVI I think B1ad3 is their secret MVP of a potential run here.
The fact they peaked in Atlanta by beating Vitality and getting to the grand final with a comfortable win, they could be dangerous, very dangerous. We know that at the Majors, they play pretty well, iM has already been in multiple grand finals, they've won a Major in CS2.
I think B1ad3 will have to do a hard carry against a team like Vitality, they've finally seen some gaps and Vitality are beatable because of the break they took in Atlanta. I would say that was not a disaster but certainly below average for Vitality, it could give NAVI a second wind that they need for winning the Major.”
FURIA
Back at the previous Major, StarLadder Budapest, it looked like it was destiny that FalleN would win his third Major title as FURIA made a push to be crowned as the team that broke the Vitality era.
Unfortunately for the Brazilians, they would ultimately disappoint in Hungary, and they’ve never quite looked the same since.
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It’s been ten years since FalleN’s last Major win at Cologne 2016, but with the announcement of his impending retirement now looming over them, STYKO thinks the added pressure from that will cost them dearly.
“I don't think they will win. If there is a chance it is 2-3%. Ever since FalleN announced his retirement, something happened. I'm not sure if it's tied to that, but ever since that moment, I don't have FURIA as a Major contender anymore. It might be too soon to tell and maybe I'm overreacting, but I think if they make playoffs it ends there.”
FUT - the dark horse
That brings us to FUT, the team STYKO reckons has the greatest chance of pulling off a Cloud9 or Gambit cosplay.
FUT are the breakout stars of 2026. Made up of former members of the NAVI Junior team and boosted by the sheer fragging output of lauNX, FUT are a terrifying team when they get rolling, and coach coolio has them playing a lovely brand of CS.
STYKO says:
“We've seen no weakness from them so far, which is rare when you have four rookies and a rookie coach on the team. It is rare to not see a weakness, which makes them dark horses for me. I don’t see them winning it, though. I hope I’m wrong, but I think their youth will hold them back in the playoffs in the LANXESS.”
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