FaZe Clan are down in the dumps, only a hair away from missing the IEM Cologne Major. Their last shot at Major qualification will be at HLC Cyprus Pro 2026. The international powerhouse will need to run through the bracket and secure the title to still be in contention.
Can Finn “karrigan” Andersen lead his comrades to another Major, or is this the end for this iteration of FaZe Clan? Let’s find out.
Here’s our HLC Cyprus Pro 2026 preview.
| Event | HLC Belgrade Pro 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 3 – April 5 |
| Location | Belgrade, Serbia |
| Total Prize Pool | $30,000 USD |
| Winner’s Share | $12,000 USD |
| Number of Teams | 13 |
| Group Stage | April 3- April 4 |
| Playoff Stage | April 5 |
| Format | Swiss Groups (BO3) -> Single-elimination Playoff Bracket (BO3) |
HLC Cyprus Pro 2026 will take place over just three days from April 3 to 5. The 13-team event sports a sizeable $30,000 prize pool, with $12,000 going to the winner.
Thirteen attendees will be split into four Swiss groups, one of which will include four teams. The two best performers from each group advance to the playoffs, which are to be carried out through a single-elimination bracket.
All the matches at the event, including the grand final and third-place decider match, will be best-of-three series.
BIG will be FaZe’s biggest threat in Belgrade. Credit: Adam Lakomy | © ESL
While the field at HLC Cyprus Pro 2026 isn’t strong, there are a couple of teams that could trouble FaZe on their road to the Major. The biggest threat is definitely BIG.
The majority-German squad is gunning for a Major spot as well and is currently higher up the VRS ranking than FaZe. If Benjamin “blameF” Bremer, one of the best CS2 players in tier 2, pops off, FaZe could be toast.
Besides BIG, FaZe shouldn’t have trouble with any other opponents, but with their current form, you never know. Maybe the Polish team Betclic or the European mix, illwill, could cause FaZe some difficulties.
Here are all the teams in attendance at HLC Cyprus Pro 2026:
A Major without FaZe Clan is very likely. Credit: © StarLadder
In this day and age, it’s difficult to imagine a CS2 Major without FaZe, but that could soon become a reality. FaZe’s form following their grand final appearance at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 has been simply shocking.
They are losing left and right, against all sorts of opponents, most recently getting destroyed by Fnatic at DraculaN Season 6. Now, everything lies on their HLC Cyprus Pro 2026 performance.
To have a decent shot at making the Major, FaZe has to win the whole event, and even then, the CS2 odds won’t be completely in their favor. A lot depends on other teams’ results before the April 6th Major invite cut-off.
For example, if NIP or Gentle Mates have a deep run or claim the title at Stake Ranked Episode 1, FaZe will be out of contention for the Major.
All in all, the likelihood is that FaZe Clan will miss their first Counter-Strike Major as an organization, and several roster changes will follow as a result. Let’s see if that will be the case at HLC Cyprus Pro 2026.
Featured image credit: © StarLadder
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