FaZe are in dire straits in their pursuit of Major qualification. After a bruising start to 2026, during which the organisation has repeatedly bowed out of tournaments at the bottom. Entering DraculaN 6, FaZe Clan have a last chance to make it to the IEM Cologne 2026 Major, after making a historic run just a few months ago at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. There are no guaranteed second chances after this, no obvious fallback event to repair the damage if things go wrong. If they fail to deliver here, their qualification hopes will likely rest on unlikely results elsewhere. To avoid relying on outside chaos, FaZe need a deep and convincing run. A decent showing will not suffice. It is a contention for survival.
How FaZe can still qualify for the Major
Current projections and simulation models indicate that a second-place finish is likely required to secure passage to the Major with confidence. Anything less leaves their prospects contingent upon external collapses and statistical benevolence.
Status before DraculaN playoffs start ->
FaZe needs 2nd place in DraculaN to qualify for the major as it looks right now!
(more context below👇)DraculaN 6 playoffs begin today, where Aurora and FaZe will enter the event among 6 other teams (see bracket).
For Aurora this has… pic.twitter.com/mLg2GIBfPX
— Udknud (@JesperLarsen222) March 30, 2026
The DraculaN 6 playoff bracket features eight teams, including the likes of Aurora Gaming and Liquid alongside FaZe. Superficially, the field appears navigable, but in practical terms, it resembles an unforgiving crucible. For FaZE, first place guarantees Major attendance. Second place renders qualification highly probable. Third place places FaZe in a precarious limbo that depends on favorable results elsewhere. And a fourth or lower extinguishes any realistic hope FaZe has for making it to the biggest stage In Counter-Strike. For an organisation of FaZe’s pedigree, such parameters are sobering.
The pressure is intensified by the nature of their projected path. A flawless upper-bracket run, finishing 5–0, is expected to move through aimclub, then Passion UA, followed by Monte, and potentially two series against Aurora Gaming in the closing stages. Each opponent brings a different challenge. Passion UA are driven by their X-factor player like Senzu, Monte are structured and disciplined, often winning through superior mid-round decisions. Aurora again has explosive players like w0xic and XANTARES who can take the game away from you in the blink of an eye.
It is FaZe, afterall
In the opening round, FaZe managed to beat aimclub, despite a staggering start to Overpass which did not look very encouraging. Next up, FaZe is set to go against Passion UA, a team they have not lost a single map to so far. If they do manage to best them, which seems probable, the next encounter will also be significantly less challenging, as they will face the winner of Alliance and Monty. On the other side of the bracket, we have teams like Liquid and Aurora. However, these teams will only meet FaZe in the Grand-Final. And they would already sit in decent spot for the Major already.
With the kind of reputation FaZe have made for themselves with their recent showings, nothing can be ruled out. They can very well lose out to a team you have never even heard of. A single lethargic start, a miscalculated veto, or a squandered overtime could recalibrate the entire qualification equation. And on the other hand, they can also beat a team like Aurora in the Grand Final and head to the Major pretending like nothing happened.
