The first half of 2026 produced one of the most competitive races for individual recognition in recent Counter-Strike history. Several players delivered elite statistics, while others built their case through championship runs, MVP medals, or standout performances at the biggest tournaments of the season. Team Falcons lifted the IEM Cologne Major trophy, Vitality dominated much of the season before their Major exit, and several rising stars continued their breakthrough campaigns.
Our ranking takes into account individual statistics over the last six months, performances against top opposition, displays at big events, IEM Cologne Major 2026, trophies, MVP and EVP awards, and overall impact on a team’s success.
20. Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis
After joining FURIA, Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis found stability again and became an important piece of the Brazilian squad’s aggressive system. While he no longer produces the explosive numbers that defined his prime years, his experience and proactive playstyle remained valuable throughout the season.
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His overall 1.07 rating across 112 maps is respectable, but the lack of standout performances against elite opposition ultimately hurt his ranking. YEKINDAR posted a 0.99 rating against Top 5 teams and 1.05 against Top 10 opponents, while recording no MVPs, EVPs or tournament victories during the period. His consistency was enough to secure a place in the Top 20, but not much higher.
19. Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch
Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch continued to be one of The MongolZ’s most reliable players as the Asian squad remained a dangerous contender on the international stage. His aggressive rifle play regularly created openings, particularly against mid-tier opposition.
A 1.12 overall rating and two EVP awards demonstrate solid consistency, but his impact declined noticeably against stronger opponents. He managed only a 1.02 rating versus Top 10 teams and produced no titles or MVP medals during the last six months. Strong domestic and regional performances keep him inside the Top 20, but the lack of elite tournament success limits his ceiling.
18. Ali Haydar “Wicadia” Yalçın
Ali Haydar “Wicadia” Yalçın continued his impressive development throughout 2026, becoming one of Aurora’s primary firepower sources. His confidence in opening duels and ability to deliver high-damage rounds made him one of the team’s biggest offensive threats.
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He finished the period with a 1.13 rating over 111 maps alongside an excellent 81.0 ADR, one of the strongest figures among players outside the Top 10. However, his numbers dipped considerably against elite competition, posting a 1.01 rating against Top 5 teams and 1.06 against Top 10 opponents. Two EVP awards show that he consistently impressed at several events, even if Aurora fell short of lifting trophies.
17. Dorian “xertioN” Berman
Dorian “xertioN” Berman once again proved himself as one of Counter-Strike’s most explosive riflers. His aggressive approach helped MOUZ remain competitive throughout the season, while his high damage output frequently allowed the team to recover difficult rounds.
His overall 1.14 rating and outstanding 82.8 ADR underline his mechanical quality, but performances against the very best teams prevented him from climbing higher. xertioN managed a 1.00 rating versus Top 5 teams and 1.05 against Top 10 opposition. Three EVP medals highlight his consistency at international tournaments, yet the absence of trophies or MVP awards ultimately leaves him just outside the Top 15.
16. Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskyi
Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskiy remained one of NAVI’s most dependable performers throughout the first half of 2026. Although the team struggled to convert deep playoff runs into championships, b1t consistently maintained a high individual level regardless of the opponent.
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Across 113 maps he posted a 1.13 rating while maintaining a strong 1.13 rating against Top 10 teams and a solid 1.14 rating at the biggest events. His statistical profile contains very few weaknesses, but unlike many players ranked above him, b1t lacked major individual accolades, finishing the period with one EVP medal and no tournament victories or MVP awards. His consistency keeps him comfortably inside the Top 20, even without the hardware.
15. Bruno “latto” Rebelatto
Bruno “latto” Rebelatto quietly put together one of the most underrated seasons in Counter-Strike. While Legacy rarely entered tournaments as favorites, the Brazilian rifler consistently delivered strong individual performances and proved capable of matching some of the world’s best opposition. His biggest highlight came with the team’s victory at the CS Asia Championships, where he earned the tournament MVP award and established himself as one of Brazil’s most reliable stars.
Latto finished the six-month period with a 1.15 rating across 119 maps, one of the largest samples among all players in this ranking. His impressive 1.21 rating against Top 10 teams was among the very best in the Top 20, showing that his performances translated well against elite opposition. Combined with one title, one MVP medal and an additional EVP award, his consistency earns him a deserved place just outside the Top 10.
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14. Victor “Staehr” Staehr
Victor “Staehr” Staehr continued his steady rise throughout the first half of 2026, becoming Astralis’ most dependable fragger despite the team’s inconsistent tournament results. While Astralis rarely challenged for championships, Staehr consistently maintained strong numbers regardless of the opposition and often carried the team’s offensive output.
Across 98 maps he posted a 1.15 rating while maintaining an excellent 1.18 rating against Top 10 teams. He also performed well at the biggest tournaments with a 1.15 Big Events rating and secured an EVP medal at PGL Bucharest. Although the lack of titles prevented him from climbing higher, his statistical consistency places him comfortably among the year’s best riflers.
13. Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov
Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov experienced another successful season as NAVI’s primary AWPer. Even though the Ukrainian organization failed to compete for every major trophy, he remained one of the team’s most stable players and repeatedly produced strong performances during deep tournament runs.
His overall 1.11 rating may appear modest compared to several players ranked above him, but achievements significantly strengthen his case. w0nderful won both IEM Atlanta and ESL Pro League Season 23 Finals, collected an MVP medal at IEM Atlanta and added two EVP awards throughout the season. Combined with 113 maps played and respectable performances against elite teams, those accomplishments elevate him above several statistically stronger players.
12. Danil “molodoy” Golubenko
Danil “molodoy” Golubenko quickly established himself as one of Counter-Strike’s brightest young AWPers after joining FURIA. Throughout the season he consistently delivered elite firepower while helping the Brazilian squad become one of the strongest teams in the world, culminating in a run to the IEM Cologne Major grand final.
Molodoy finished the period with a 1.15 rating over 112 maps while averaging 76.6 ADR. Although his ratings against Top 5 and Top 10 opponents were lower than several direct competitors, he impressed on the biggest stages with a 1.14 Big Events rating and collected two EVP awards. His remarkable consistency despite limited Tier 1 experience suggests this ranking may only be the beginning of a much longer stay among Counter-Strike’s elite.
11. Drin “makazze” Shaqiri
Drin “makazze” Shaqiri enjoyed a breakout campaign that firmly established him among the game’s elite young riflers. Throughout the first half of 2026 he combined excellent mechanics with impressive consistency, becoming one of NAVI’s most impactful players across every level of competition.
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Makazze ended the six-month period with a 1.14 rating across 113 maps, backed by 80.9 ADR and strong performances at major tournaments. While his numbers against Top 5 opponents dipped slightly, he compensated with two tournament victories and an MVP medal from the ESL Pro League Season 23 Finals. His ability to combine individual excellence with meaningful team success narrowly places him inside the Top 10 conversation, even if several veterans still remain ahead of him.
10. Nikola “NiKo” Kovač
Nikola “NiKo” Kovač finally achieved what had eluded him throughout his legendary career: winning a Counter-Strike Major. After years of coming painfully close, the Bosnian superstar lifted the IEM Cologne Major trophy with Team Falcons, completing one of the biggest storylines in CS history. The victory also earned him the tournament MVP award at BLAST Bounty earlier in the season, while Falcons’ rise into a championship-winning roster was built around his leadership and consistency.
Statistically, NiKo was no longer among the absolute elite riflers, finishing the period with a 1.12 rating across 107 maps. His performances against Top 5 and Top 10 opponents (1.06 and 1.07) were solid rather than spectacular, but his championship-winning campaign at Cologne and one of the most memorable Major victories of the modern era significantly strengthened his overall case. Sometimes legacy-defining moments matter just as much as raw numbers.
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9. Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato
Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato once again proved why he remains one of the most consistent players in professional Counter-Strike. Throughout the first half of 2026, he continued to be FURIA’s most reliable star, combining elite rifling with remarkable stability regardless of the opponent or tournament. His calm decision-making and impeccable positioning remained the foundation of FURIA’s success.
Across the six-month period, KSCERATO posted a 1.15 rating while maintaining an excellent 1.16 rating against Top 5 teams and 1.15 against Top 10 opposition. Although he did not win any MVP medals or titles individually, two EVP awards highlighted his consistency during FURIA’s deep tournament runs, including their appearance in the IEM Cologne Major grand final.
8. Maksim “kyousuke” Lukin
At just 18 years old, Maksim “kyousuke” Lukin established himself as one of Counter-Strike’s brightest new superstars. After joining Team Falcons, he adapted almost instantly to Tier 1 competition, providing explosive firepower throughout the team’s championship-winning campaign. His confidence in high-pressure situations quickly turned him into one of the biggest revelations of the season.
Kyousuke finished the first half of 2026 with a 1.17 rating across 97 maps, backed by an outstanding 82.5 ADR. His performances remained strong against elite opposition, posting ratings of 1.15 versus Top 5 teams and 1.16 against Top 10 opponents. While he collected only EVP medals rather than MVP awards, his impact during Falcons’ Major-winning run firmly established him among the world’s elite players.
7. Shahar “flameZ” Shushan
Shahar “flameZ” Shushan continued to enjoy the best period of his career as Vitality remained one of the strongest teams in Counter-Strike. While much of the spotlight naturally followed ZywOo, flameZ consistently delivered elite performances that often changed the course of matches. His aggressive entries and relentless pressure made him one of the most dangerous riflers in the game.
The Israeli star recorded a 1.18 rating across 99 maps while maintaining almost identical numbers against Top 5 teams, Top 10 teams and at the biggest tournaments. Four EVP awards further demonstrate just how consistently he performed throughout the season. Although he narrowly missed out on individual MVP medals, his contribution to Vitality’s remarkable run of trophies places him comfortably inside the Top 10.
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6. Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko
Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko produced the biggest breakthrough season of his career. After becoming G2’s primary star, he transformed from a promising rifler into one of the world’s most impactful players. His confidence, consistency and ability to deliver in crucial moments helped G2 remain competitive throughout one of the strongest eras in Counter-Strike history.
HeavyGod finished the period with a 1.16 overall rating across an impressive 131 maps — the largest sample among players in this ranking. More importantly, he elevated his level on the biggest stages, posting a 1.18 rating at major events and an outstanding 1.26 during the IEM Cologne Major itself. Despite the lack of MVP medals or tournament victories, his exceptional consistency throughout the season narrowly earns him a place inside the Top 6.
5. Dmitriy “sh1ro” Sokolov
Dmitriy “sh1ro” Sokolov quietly put together another elite season, proving once again why he remains one of the world’s most reliable AWPers. While donk naturally received most of the attention inside Team Spirit, sh1ro continued to deliver exceptional consistency in virtually every tournament. His calm decision-making, efficient positioning and low-risk style gave Spirit one of the strongest sniper duos in Counter-Strike.
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The Russian AWPer finished the first half of the year with a 1.18 rating across 84 maps, backed by a 1.17 rating against Top 10 opponents and a 1.16 rating at Big Events. Although he didn’t collect an MVP medal, two EVP awards highlighted his consistency throughout the season. Spirit narrowly missed out on the biggest trophies, but sh1ro remained among the elite from start to finish.
4. Robin “ropz” Kool
Robin “ropz” Kool enjoyed arguably the best team season of his career after joining Vitality. The Estonian immediately transformed an already world-class roster into an almost unstoppable force, helping the team dominate the first half of 2026 with multiple international trophies before eventually falling in the playoffs of the IEM Cologne Major.
Despite playing alongside ZywOo, ropz remained one of the world’s most efficient players. He posted a 1.14 rating over 99 maps while recording an outstanding 1.19 rating against Top 5 opponents. Six tournament victories, one MVP award and three EVP medals made him one of the most decorated players of the season. His raw statistics were slightly lower than several players above him, but his incredible contribution to Vitality’s dominant run secures a deserved place in the Top 5.
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3. Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov
Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov entered a new chapter of his career in 2026 and immediately became one of the driving forces behind Team Falcons’ rise to the top. His mechanical brilliance, confidence under pressure and ability to completely take over maps made him one of the most feared AWPers in the world. By the end of the first half of the year, he had added the one trophy missing from his collection — a Major title.
Statistically, m0NESY remained comfortably among the world’s elite with a 1.26 rating across 107 maps. He maintained a 1.22 rating against Top 5 teams and 1.21 versus Top 10 opponents, while matching his overall level at the biggest tournaments with a 1.26 Big Events rating. Add one MVP, four EVP awards and the IEM Cologne Major trophy, and his place on the podium becomes unquestionable.
2. Danil “donk” Kryshkovets
Danil “donk” Kryshkovets once again produced numbers that almost nobody else in professional Counter-Strike could match. Even by his own extraordinary standards, the first half of 2026 was exceptional. His 1.42 overall rating was comfortably the highest among every player in this ranking, while his incredible 95.6 ADR reflected just how dominant he remained on an individual level.
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Donk continued to deliver against every level of competition, posting a 1.25 rating versus Top 5 teams and 1.40 against Top 10 opposition — by far the best figure among all candidates. He also collected an MVP award and three EVP medals while helping Spirit remain a consistent title contender throughout the season. Ultimately, Spirit simply lacked the championship success enjoyed by Vitality and Falcons, preventing donk from finishing at the very top despite being the most statistically dominant player in the world.
1. Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut once again finished exactly where Counter-Strike fans have become accustomed to seeing him — at the top. While several players challenged him individually throughout the season, nobody managed to combine elite statistics, team success and individual accolades quite as effectively. Vitality dominated much of the first half of 2026, winning six tournaments before their Major run came to an end in Cologne.
ZywOo concluded the six-month period with a 1.39 rating across 99 maps, alongside a remarkable 1.30 rating against Top 5 teams and 1.37 versus Top 10 opposition. More importantly, he collected six tournament victories, four MVP medals and two EVP awards while remaining Vitality’s undisputed superstar. Although donk posted even stronger individual numbers, ZywOo’s combination of elite consistency, trophy cabinet and impact on the best team of the season makes him the clear choice for the No. 1 spot in our Top 20 Players of the First Half of 2026.
While the first half of 2026 has already delivered unforgettable storylines, the race is far from over. Vitality’s dominance no longer looks untouchable after their early exit at the IEM Cologne Major, while Falcons have firmly entered the conversation as Counter-Strike’s new powerhouse.
At the same time, Spirit, NAVI, FURIA and several rising contenders continue to close the gap, setting the stage for an incredibly competitive second half of the season. With more S-tier trophies, MVP races and another Major still ahead, every player in this ranking will have another opportunity to strengthen — or completely reshape — their place among the world’s elite.
