With the Esports Nations Cup slated for November 2026, we at Pley.gg built national Counter-Strike 2 teams using three clear filters: 2025 form, team cohesion, and role fit.
To stress test the concept and our teams, we asked analyst Donald “Voo” Parkhurst to name his three favorites, a dark horse and his thoughts on the format. You will find his take on the format at the end of this article, and his team picks in Part 2.
And just a disclaimer: this is our ranking, not Voo’s, his input is on the teams we created.
A fair question is whether clubs would release players so close to the final Major of 2026. Probably not. For this exercise we ignored availability and picked the strongest possible fives per country.
The teams ranked 16-9
16) Germany
slaxz-, Krimbo, JDC, s1n, pr1metapz
We take s1n over tabseN to refresh the calling after BIG’s plateau. The pieces are serviceable, yet with German Counter-Strike coming off a lean spell this lands 16th. Upside grows if Krimbo and slaxz- hit peak form.
15) United States
EliGE, junior, Grim, JBa, nitr0
Roles are covered, with EliGE and Grim driving the rifles. junior and nitr0 supply AWP and IGL stability, though consistency against top opposition decides the ceiling. Upset potential, but baseline places them 15th.
14) Australia
Vexite, jks, INS, Liazz, dexter
Clear structure and discipline with dexter calling, plus dependable mid-rounds from INS and closing from jks. Star power is thinner than the field’s top half, so 14th feels fair.
13) Poland
xKacpersky, F1KU, hypex, siuhy, jcobbb
siuhy provides a strong framework and jcobbb brings entries. Big-stage mileage is limited and there is no singular headline star yet, which keeps them at 13.
12) Spain
mopoz, SunPayus, alex, sausol, dav1g
A coherent core with an AWP upgrade in SunPayus. Cohesion raises the floor, but most of the lineup competes outside the tier 1 scene, so peak upside is capped. Solid at 12.
11) China
JamYoung, Moseyuh, z4kr, EmiliaQAQ, Mercury
A TYLOO plus Lynn Vision blend that plays good percentage Counter-Strike. Familiarity and team play can steal maps, yet raw firepower trails the elite eight.
10) Canada
Twistzz, HexT, FaNg, NAF, stanislaw
Strong rifle core with a proven system builder in stanislaw. AWP options limit absolute ceiling, but if Twistzz and NAF find late-round form they become dangerous in best of threes.
9) Sweden
Brollan, phzy, REZ, nilo, yxngstxr
Clean roles and growing leadership from Brollan. They are not the heaviest hitters on paper, so a deep run likely needs star output from REZ and strong fragging from Brollan while leading.
Unrealistic format
Voo’s answer when asked if the format can work, with the major in mind, was blunt:
“No.”
The Canadians view on the format is realistic: the format does not work as things stand. Unless the event puts up an insane amount of money and secures a protected calendar slot, players and teams will not treat national rosters as a priority, especially if dates overlap with other tournaments.
Next week our top eight will be revealed with Canadian analyst Donald “Voo” Parkhurst giving his top three and dark horse predictions.
