Every year, Counter-Strike produces new names. Most flash briefly. Few endure. Even fewer are built to last. This list isn’t about raw aim alone or short-term spikes in form. It’s about trajectory — players whose 2025 wasn’t just impressive, but structurally meaningful. Prospects who didn’t simply farm numbers, but showed the ability to scale, adapt, and survive inside real systems.
From academy projects and regional dominators to players already forcing organizations to rebuild around them, these ten names represent the next wave of Counter-Strike — not as hype, but as investment. Here are the Top 10 Uprising Players to Watch in 2026.
10. Adrian “xelex” Vincze
At just 17 years old, xelex has quietly positioned himself as one of the most promising academy prospects in Europe. As part of MOUZ NXT, he represents the next step in one of Counter-Strike’s most proven development systems — and his trajectory suggests this is only the beginning.
What makes xelex stand out isn’t just his age, but how quickly he adapted to structured team play. Since joining MOUZ NXT in late 2024, he has become a consistent rifling presence, combining discipline with growing confidence in mid-round situations. In a scene filled with raw aimers, xelex already shows signs of a player being shaped for long-term tier-one readiness rather than short-term results.
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torzsi, who previously highlighted xelex as one of the most promising academy prospects, once again pointed to the young rifler’s steady development within MOUZ NXT.
I mentioned xelex last year, but I want to choose him again. I think he is getting better and better in MOUZ NXT and I am excited about his development. I think he has a great future in front of him if he keeps working and improving
Statistically, xelex’s numbers reinforce that assessment. Across 2025, he posted a 1.12 Rating over 87 maps, paired with a 79.3 ADR, 72.4% KAST, and a strong 0.74 KPR. His overall performance across all events sits at a 1.11 Rating over 100+ maps, reflecting consistency rather than short-lived spikes.
Results-wise, xelex has already tasted success at the lower tiers. With MOUZ NXT, he claimed multiple C-tier victories, including Urban Riga Open #2, ESEA Season 54: Main Division (EU), and Digital Warriors Spring 2025, while consistently reaching late stages of qualifiers across Europe. While these tournaments don’t define a career, they matter for a player still building competitive fundamentals.
Perhaps most telling is the trust shown by the main roster. In 2025, xelex was selected as a stand-in for MOUZ at IEM Katowice, gaining early exposure to top-level LAN Counter-Strike — a rare opportunity for a player his age, and a clear signal of internal belief.
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xelex enters 2026 not as a finished product, but as a calculated investment. His numbers are stable, his environment is ideal, and his development curve remains steep. If MOUZ NXT continues to do what it has done best over the years, xelex may not stay an academy player for long.
9. Guilherme “piriajr” Barbosa
piriajr enters 2026 as one of the most statistically dominant players outside the traditional tier-one bubble. While much of his success came within the Brazilian scene, the numbers he produced over the past year are impossible to ignore — not just locally strong, but globally competitive by any measurable standard.
Over the last three months, piriajr posted a staggering 1.39 Rating, placing him at the very top of global leaderboards when filtering by form. In that same span, he outperformed names like m0NESY and ZywOo in raw rating output, highlighting just how extreme his individual impact has been — even if achieved outside the top-20 ecosystem.
That level of dominance didn’t come out of nowhere. Throughout 2025, piriajr maintained elite consistency across a large sample size: a 1.21 Rating over 200+ maps, paired with 84.7 ADR, 75.0% KAST, and a remarkable 20.3% multi-kill round rate. These aren’t inflated numbers from short runs or small events — they reflect sustained pressure applied across leagues, qualifiers, and regional finals.
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Results followed performance. piriajr has built one of the most decorated resumes in South American Counter-Strike, winning multiple B-tier tournaments, including ESL Challenger League Season 49: South America, several CCT South American Series events, and consistent regional qualifiers dating back years. His trophy cabinet reflects longevity — not a single breakout run, but repeated success across different rosters and eras.
That consistency ultimately led to the biggest move of his career. In January 2026, paiN Gaming brought piriajr in on loan — effectively signing the statistical #1 player in the world by rating, if all teams and regions are considered rather than just the top-20. It was a bold move, but one fully supported by data.
piriajr’s case is simple: if this level of output translates even partially to international competition, he immediately becomes one of the most impactful riflers in the tier-one conversation. 2026 will be the year that answers the only remaining question — whether regional dominance can scale globally.
8. Anarbilge “cobrazera” Uuganbayar
cobrazera enters 2026 as one of the most promising long-term prospects in Asian Counter-Strike. A mechanically solid rifler with a disciplined approach to the game, he has already proven himself at the regional level and now takes the most important step of his career by joining The MongolZ — a roster with clear international ambitions.
His rise followed a steady and logical path. After standing out with The Huns, cobrazera established himself as a reliable rifler across domestic leagues and qualifiers, earning a reputation for clean aim, repeatable impact, and structure-friendly play. Rather than relying on explosive moments, his value comes from consistency and an ability to fit naturally into team systems.
His potential has already been recognized within the Mongolian Counter-Strike scene. Senzu, who selected cobrazera as his bold prediction for 2026, pointed directly to both his ceiling and work ethic.
He has the potential and the work ethic to become a Top 20 player next year
For cobrazera, 2026 is about translation. The fundamentals are already there; the next step is proving that his regional dominance and disciplined play can scale on the international stage. If that transition succeeds, he won’t remain an “uprising” name for long.
7. Liam “MaiL09” Tügel
At just 16 years old, MaiL09 enters 2026 as one of the most extreme individual talents Counter-Strike has seen in years. Holding the highest FACEIT ELO in history and winning three consecutive FPL titles, he represents a new generation of players whose mechanical ceiling is already proven — even if their team careers are only beginning.
MaiL09’s rise has been anything but ordinary. He started playing Counter-Strike at six, reached Global Elite by eight, won a DreamHack junior event at eleven, and crossed 4,000 FACEIT ELO at thirteen. By fourteen, he had already accumulated over 10,000 hours in the game. That long-term grind explains why his mechanics, confidence, and decision-making look far beyond his age.
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His individual level has not gone unnoticed by elite players. In an interview with HLTV, Nikola “NiKo” Kovač spoke about MaiL09 after playing with him in FACEIT and practice games, highlighting his mechanics and long-term potential.
I played a couple of FACEIT and practice games with him, and he’s really good. His mechanics look strong. He has a lot of potential — it all depends on how he develops
Despite his individual brilliance, MaiL09’s first step into structured Counter-Strike proved difficult. His time with Metizport was marked by constant roster instability and role mismatches, ultimately leading to him being benched — not due to lack of skill, but due to a system that couldn’t fully utilize his strengths. For MaiL09, 2026 is about finding the right environment where his generational talent can finally translate into team success.
6. Alex “poiii” Nyholm Sundgren
poiii enters 2026 as one of the most complete young riflers to come out of Sweden in recent years. At just 19 years old, he has already combined strong individual numbers with tangible team success, positioning himself as more than a prospect — a player ready for a higher competitive tier.
His development path has been steady rather than explosive. After building his foundation with Lilmix and EYEBALLERS, poiii took a significant step forward with Alliance, where he became a central piece of the roster. His breakthrough moment came in November 2025, when Alliance won Svenska Cupen 2025, closing the final with a dominant 3:0 victory. Throughout that run, poiii was one of the team’s most consistent performers, reinforcing his reputation as a structure-friendly rifler with strong mechanics.
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His individual level has been widely recognized beyond domestic competition. In an interview with HLTV, Twistzz selected poiii as his bold prediction for the upcoming season, pointing to both his skill set and the importance of his next career move.
I think poiii will be in a great environment to grow and develop as a player for the upcoming years
That move soon became reality. In early 2026, 100 Thieves officially signed poiii, making him part of a newly assembled project led by Håvard “rain” Nygaard and legendary coach Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander, with strong links to Nicolai “device” Reedtz as well. For poiii, this transition represents his first step into an international spotlight — and a system designed to accelerate young talent rather than overwhelm it.
2026 will be a defining year for poiii. The fundamentals are already there, the numbers support the hype, and the environment finally matches his ambition. If he adapts quickly, he has all the tools to become Sweden’s next long-term tier-one rifler.
5. Gytis “ryu” Glušauskas
ryu enters 2026 as one of the most reliable and battle-tested riflers to emerge from the European tier-two scene. At 21 years old, he has already combined long-term consistency with steady progression, earning a move to one of Counter-Strike’s most demanding organizations — Astralis.
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His rise wasn’t built on a single breakout event. After joining Monte’s academy setup in late 2023, ryu steadily worked his way into the main roster, where he became a dependable piece throughout 2024 and 2025. Playing a structure-heavy style, he consistently delivered value without needing to be the focal point — a trait that made him stand out in a scene crowded with volatile aimers.
That consistency ultimately led to his biggest career move. According to HLTV, Astralis completed the signing of ryu as part of their shift toward an international lineup, bringing him in from Monte after a strong 2025 season in which he averaged a 1.13 rating across all competitions and climbed to #22 in the HLTV Prospect Report.
Speaking during the official announcement, Astralis CEO Jonas Gundersen explained why the organization identified ryu as a key piece of the new project.
These are players we believe fit very well into what we are building. In addition to being strong players, they bring new energy to the team and can immediately adapt to the style of play we want to implement.
For ryu, 2026 is about translation and trust. Astralis isn’t betting on raw potential — they’re betting on stability, adaptability, and a player who has already proven he can grow inside structured systems. If he adjusts quickly to tier-one pressure, ryu could become one of the quiet success stories of the year.
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4. Vladislav “xiELO” Lysov
xiELO enters 2026 as one of the most explosive new riflers to break through from the Eastern European scene. At 19 years old, he has already made his first appearance on the Major stage and quickly built a reputation for aggressive, high-impact play that stands out even in structured environments.
His rise accelerated throughout 2025 with PARIVISION, where xiELO became a focal point of the team’s offense. His style is fast, instinctive, and pressure-driven — a player who thrives when the pace increases. That approach paid off domestically, with multiple B-tier titles and deep runs that ultimately earned him a spot at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, his first appearance at Counter-Strike’s biggest stage.
His impact hasn’t gone unnoticed by elite-level players. In an interview with HLTV, YEKINDAR selected xiELO as his bold prediction, highlighting the young rifler’s decision-making speed and spatial awareness under pressure.
There’s this new-gen, in-the-moment, fast thinking — when a guy is in the flow, running around, pre-aiming every right direction and he just knows what’s happening around him. I feel like this is something that he has — a very good understanding of his surroundings.
While xiELO’s Major run ended early, the significance lies in exposure rather than results. For a player still in his teens, stepping onto an S-tier stage and immediately looking comfortable is a strong signal. Heading into 2026, xiELO’s challenge is refinement — turning raw pace and confidence into consistent international output. If that balance clicks, his ceiling extends well beyond the “uprising” label.
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3. Caner “soulfly” Kesici
soulfly enters 2026 as one of the most proven and immediately impactful riflers outside the tier-one elite. At 21 years old, he combines volume, consistency, and experience — a profile that stands out in a scene increasingly dominated by raw prospects with limited sample sizes.
His path to this point was built on repetition and reliability. After spending over two years with Sangal, soulfly elevated his game with Fire Flux, where he became the team’s primary source of pressure and mid-round stability. Across hundreds of maps, he consistently delivered impact without needing to be enabled — a trait that made him attractive to teams looking for instant upgrades rather than long-term projects.
That consistency translated into opportunity. According to HLTV, Aurora opted to bench jottAAA and sign soulfly ahead of the 2026 season, identifying him as a player who could immediately raise the team’s baseline after an inconsistent year. His performances with Fire Flux — averaging a 1.15 rating across nearly 400 maps — also earned him the #38 spot on the HLTV Prospect Report, reinforcing his status as one of the most reliable tier-two performers in Europe.
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soulfly is set to make his debut for Aurora during BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1, where expectations will be clear from day one. Unlike many names on this list, he isn’t entering 2026 as a developmental gamble. He arrives as a ready-made solution — a player trusted to deliver structure, firepower, and composure immediately.
For soulfly, 2026 isn’t about potential. It’s about conversion. If his tier-two consistency carries over to higher-pressure environments, Aurora may have found one of the most efficient upgrades of the offseason.
2. David “Dawy” Bibik
Dawy enters 2026 as one of the fastest-rising young players in Counter-Strike. At just 18 years old, he has already made the leap from relative obscurity to competing on tier-one stages, climbing rapidly through the prospect rankings and proving that his impact is not situational, but sustainable.
His rise has been built from the ground up. Starting in lower-tier teams under the DASH and TNL banners, Dawy steadily pushed his way forward alongside a core that grew together rather than being assembled overnight. That progression culminated in 2025, when Inner Circle broke into international relevance and earned appearances at high-level events, including ESL Pro League Season 22.
What separates Dawy from many peers is how well his numbers translate against stronger opposition. In 2025, he posted a 1.14 rating vs top-50 teams — one of the best figures among emerging players — and delivered MVP-level performances at several events, underlining his ability to rise with the level of competition rather than disappear in it.
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That confidence and self-belief were evident when Dawy reflected on his rapid progression. Speaking to HLTV, he described the emotional swing of going from heavy defeats to beating one of the world’s best teams within weeks.
On September 20 I lost one of the worst games of my career. On September 21 I lost after leading 12–0 — that was crazy on my birthday. Then we beat The MongolZ. In two weeks we went from losing like that to beating the best team in the world. It’s really crazy.
That victory over The MongolZ, who were ranked #1 at the time, was not a one-off. Dawy followed it up with strong LAN showings and continued to deliver under pressure, reinforcing the idea that his ceiling extends far beyond prospect status.
For Dawy, 2026 is about consolidation. The breakthrough has already happened; now comes the challenge of turning momentum into permanence. If his trajectory holds, he won’t just be a top prospect — he’ll be a fixture at the highest level.
1. Klimentii “kl1m” Krivosheev
kl1m enters 2026 as the most high-upside bet among all emerging players — a young AWPer whose raw output already bends games, and whose next step places him under the brightest possible spotlight. At 20 years old, he has forced a historic move: MIBR going international to unlock his ceiling.
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His rise accelerated with G2 Ares, where kl1m dominated throughout 2025, terrorizing regional opposition with elite mechanics and relentless CT-side pressure. While his sample against top-50 teams remains limited, his impact in development competition was impossible to ignore — multiple tournament wins, MVP-level showings, and a profile that screamed “tier-one ready” sooner rather than later.
That output is exactly why MIBR acted. According to HLTV, the Brazilian organization benched saffee and signed kl1m on loan, committing to English communication in a bid to raise their firepower ceiling. It’s a bold pivot — but one grounded in data. kl1m’s 2025 numbers with G2 Ares dwarf the benchmark he replaces, and his aggressive CT openings paired with strong T-side clutching address MIBR’s most pressing needs.
The belief in his trajectory is shared by elite peers. In an interview with HLTV, xertioN selected kl1m as his bold prediction, acknowledging the adjustment period but backing the Russian sniper’s mechanics to carry him into the elite.
I think he needs a bit more time, and it’s not easy to jump into a Brazilian team and perform instantly without the perfect pieces and guidance around you. But with the mechanical skill he has already shown, I believe we will see him in the Top 20 in the future
For kl1m, 2026 is about translation under pressure. The mechanics are undeniable, the numbers are elite, and the opportunity is real. If he adapts to international play and the demands of a rebuilt MIBR, he won’t just justify the gamble — he’ll define it.
