The CS2 community has achieved a unique milestone at the IEM Cologne Major 2026. Following the preliminary stage matches, 15 Russian players have advanced to the third stage, guaranteeing their teams a spot in the top-16. The record set at PGL Major Antwerp 2022 could have been broken if Klimenty kl1m Krivosheev had remained with G2 Esports, who also advanced from Stage 2.
Russian players who made it to the top-16:
- Boris magixx Vorobyov – Team Spirit
- Danil donk Kryshkovets – Team Spirit
- Dmitry sh1ro Sokolov – Team Spirit
- Ilya m0NESY Osipov – Team Falcons
- Maxim kyousuke Lukin – Team Falcons
- Kirill Boombl4 Mikhailov – BetBoom Team
- Kirill Magnojez Rodnov – BetBoom Team
- Timur FL4MUS Maryev – BetBoom Team
- Alexander zorte Zagodyrenko – BetBoom Team
- Danil d1Ledez Kustov – BetBoom Team
- Jami Jame Ali – PARIVISION
- Ivan zweih Gogin – PARIVISION
- Vladislav xiELO Lysov – PARIVISION
- Andrey BELCHONOKK Yasinskiy – PARIVISION
- Emil nota Moskvitin – PARIVISION
The IEM Cologne Major 2026 takes place from June 2 to June 21, 2026, with 32 teams competing for a share of the prize pool of $1.25 million.
Let us remind you that earlier, BetBoom Team made history by advancing to Stage 3 of the major.
