Eternal Fire have officially announced the signings of Volodymyr “Woro2k” Veletniuk and Rigon “rigoN” Gashi, confirming a shift toward an international roster ahead of the 2026 season. The move comes days after the organization benched three players and signals a clear break from Eternal Fire’s traditionally Turkish-only lineups, marking a strategic change rather than a short-term experiment.
Shift toward an international direction
This move represents Eternal Fire’s most serious commitment yet to an international project. The organization briefly tested a mixed roster in 2025 before reverting to a domestic lineup, but the addition of Woro2k and rigoN suggests a longer-term strategy built around flexibility, experience, and adaptability rather than nationality. By opting for players with extensive tier-two experience and exposure to unstable lineups, Eternal Fire appear to be prioritizing resilience during a rebuilding phase.
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Woro2k: a fresh start after instability
For Woro2k, the move offers a chance to reset his career after a turbulent period. Since leaving Monte in mid-2024, the Ukrainian AWPer struggled to secure a stable home, representing DRILLAS, Passion UA, and several mix teams.
His most productive run came with Passion UA in 2025, where he won Galaxy Battle Phase 1 and Glitched Masters. However, his form dipped toward the end of the year following roster changes, making Eternal Fire his first clear opportunity in some time to establish himself within a defined structure.
rigoN: experience from multiple projects
rigoN joins with a résumé that includes Bad News Eagles, BIG, and a recent stint with ENCE. The Swiss rifler spent the second half of 2025 with ENCE, averaging a 0.98 rating and helping the team secure the Thunderpick World Championship European Series 2 title.
Despite moments of success, ENCE struggled for consistency, and rigoN’s contract was terminated by mutual agreement at the start of 2026, opening the door for him to become part of Eternal Fire’s rebuild.
Community reaction: mixed and cautious
The signings triggered an immediate response from the community, much of it skeptical. Some fans revisited old controversies linked to Woro2k, resurfacing past screenshots and questioning the organization’s decision-making.
Others reacted with irony and memes, mocking Eternal Fire’s roster-building history and suggesting the changes feel reactive rather than planned. Long-time supporters also voiced frustration, arguing that coaching and structural stability matter more than individual transfers. At the same time, a smaller segment of the community welcomed the international direction, viewing it as a necessary risk for Eternal Fire to remain competitive in the evolving CS2 landscape.
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Current Eternal Fire roster
- Buğra “Calyx” Arkın
- Emrecan “EMSTAR” Çalışkan
- Volodymyr “Woro2k” Veletniuk
- Rigon “rigoN” Gashi
- Kadir “ElPrincipe” Sivri (coach)
Eternal Fire now enter 2026 under close scrutiny, with results likely to determine whether this international rebuild becomes a foundation for growth or another short-lived transition.
