FaZe Clan Crashes Out Early at BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026

56m

FaZe Clan suffered an early exit at BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 following a 1-2 loss to TYLOO in the lower bracket. The defeat extends a difficult season for the 2022 Major winners, whose best result so far has been a 9th-12th place finish at IEM Krakow. BLAST Open Rotterdam also marked FaZe's first tournament since analyst GruBy took over as interim coach, following NEO's departure from the organization on March 16.

Once a top-tier organization, FaZe now sits 19th in the global Valve Regional Standings (VRS). With the next CS2 Major fast approaching in June, the team has little time left to secure the big wins and valuable VRS points needed to guarantee their spot at the Cologne Major.

[embed]https://x.com/BLASTPremier/status/2035032517493850425[/embed]

Back-to-Back Defeats Lead to Early Exit for FaZe at BLAST Open Rotterdam

FaZe had a disappointing start to BLAST Open Rotterdam. They were matched against Aurora in the opening game of the double-elimination group stage. This was a tough draw, as the Turkish side was coming off a run that saw them reach the Grand Final of ESL Pro League Season 23. Despite FaZe securing the first map, Aurora's form carried them to a 2-1 victory.

Now dropped to the lower bracket, FaZe faced elimination with a single chance to stay alive. This time, they were pitted against TYLOO, who entered the match after a 0-2 loss to FURIA. While the matchup seemed favorable on paper, the Chinese roster pulled off a 2-1 upset.

Following this early exit, FaZe will now turn their attention to PGL Bucharest, which kicks off on April 3. With several top-tier teams absent from the event, FaZe has a prime opportunity to secure crucial wins and boost their VRS points.

[embed]https://x.com/BLASTPremier/status/2034982429518160091[/embed]

Can FaZe Turn Their Season Around?

FaZe currently sits at a 3-11 record in 2026. Of the 14 matches they've played, they've managed just three wins (BC.Game, HEROIC, and Monte), none of which came against top-tier opposition. Their losses include defeats to MOUZ, Falcons, PARIVISION, Astralis, G2, and others. Below is a breakdown of their placements, wins, and losses so far this year:

BLAST Bounty Winter: 17th-32nd (0-1)
IEM Krakow: 9th-12th (1-2)
PGL Cluj-Napoca: 12th-14th (1-3)
ESL Pro League S23: 12th-14th (1-3)
BLAST Open Rotterdam: 13th-16th (0-2)

This is certainly a disappointing run for FaZe Clan. While the current squad may not match the heights of the org's Major-winning roster, they are far from a bad team. They ended last year with a runner-up finish at the Budapest Major. Yet, even with the same lineup, FaZe has been unable to carry that form into 2026.

Following FaZe's early exit from BLAST Open Rotterdam, in-game leader karrigan shared some thoughts with the analyst desk:

"We will have everything in our own fate in our own hands, and if we don't qualify for the Major, we didn't deserve to go to the Major, simple as that. The dropoff from the [Budapest 2025] Major is insane."

rain's departure in late 2025 also seemed to have an impact on the squad, but after their Budapest Major run in December, they appeared to be on track to continue their success. While it's unclear what derailed their momentum, the internal changes appear to have taken a toll on the players. Following their latest tournament defeat, further roster changes could be on the horizon if their Major qualification chances grow thinner.

[embed]https://x.com/BLASTPremier/status/2035035071896277175[/embed]

In the coming months, FaZe will be fighting to secure as many wins as possible and clinch qualification for the Cologne Major. While the odds may seem slim, the roster still has players with elite firepower and deep experience, guided by veteran IGL karrigan. It's that combination that gives fans hope as they look for this squad to turn their season around and return to their former glory.

You can also follow CS2 BLAST Open Rotterdam on Strafe.

Don't forget to follow Strafe Esports for the latest news about your favorite esports and to check out our X account for the most recent content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to the Strafe YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and much more.

Featured Image Credit: ESL Counter-Strike

makazze and w0nderful steal the show as NAVI lifts the EPL S23 trophy

New CS2 Update Changes Reload Mechanics Entirely