ENVY could soon return to Counter-Strike 2, and the French roster 3DMAX might be the team that brings them back. According to insider Guillaume “neL” Rathier on the podcast Croissant Strike, ENVY’s talks with 3DMAX are the most advanced among several interested organizations.
This story matters because it could reshape two storylines at once. First, a legendary organization that won a Major back in 2015 may finally re-enter the scene. Second, one of France’s top rosters is searching for a new home after a rough stretch, and its next move could shake up the competitive map heading into the next season.
Background: ENVY’s Long Road Back
ENVY’s return plans go back to April 2025, when owner Mike “hastr0” Rufail announced on social media that the organization wanted to get back into Counter-Strike. He had just reacquired the ENVY brand from OpTic Gaming that February. By July 2025, Rufail confirmed the organization was actively scouting for a roster capable of competing at Majors, though no timeline was set.
Interest in 3DMAX specifically surfaced in May 2026. At that point, reports emerged that ENVY had reached out to the French roster after a separate deal between 3DMAX and Team Heretics reportedly fell apart. That earlier Heretics negotiation, according to French portal lasource.gg, involved months of talks over a full roster buyout before it collapsed.
The Core Details: Who, What, and How Far Along
3DMAX is currently negotiating with three organizations: OG, Heretics, and Envy. The talks cover either the full five-man roster or just a core trio of players. Envy’s discussions have progressed the furthest among the three. However, nobody has signed anything yet.
Financial difficulties within 3DMAX are reportedly driving the search for a new organization. This pressure adds urgency to the situation. 3DMAX remains one of the strongest French lineups right now, even though the team recently missed qualification for the IEM Cologne Major 2026.
🚨 Les joueurs 🇫🇷 3DMAX sont en discussion avec plusieurs organisations : 🇩🇰 OG, 🇪🇸 Heretics et 🇺🇸 ENVY, pour l’ensemble du roster ou seulement pour un trio.
Les discussions avec 🇺🇸 ENVY semblent être les plus avancées. 👀
À l’heure actuelle, rien n’est signé. ❌⏰📝 pic.twitter.com/B7fd1wu2wr
— Croissant Strike (@CroissantStrike) September 1, 2026
Why This Deal Would Matter
A completed Envy signing would mark the organization’s first CS2 roster in five years. Envy previously hinted that a French pickup would fit its history well. The brand built its legacy around French rosters during its EnVyUs era . Meanwhile, OG and Heretics still remain in the mix, so nothing is settled yet.
Fans should treat this as an active negotiation, not a finished deal. Talks with Envy, OG, and Heretics continue right now. The next update will likely reveal whether 3DMAX stays together as a full unit or splits into a smaller core that moves to a new home.
