3DMAX Dominate FaZe at IEM Kraków 2026, Extending Their Deep Run and Highlighting FaZe’s Early Struggles

3DMAX Dominate FaZe at IEM Kraków 2026, Extending Their Deep Run and Highlighting FaZe’s Early Struggles

At IEM Kraków 2026 in Poland, 3DMAX delivered one of the standout performances of the group stage by defeating FaZe Clan in a convincing 2-0 best-of-three victory to advance into the Group B upper bracket semifinals. This result extended 3DMAX’s hot streak in the tournament and compounded FaZe’s mounting difficulties after a slow start to the season. 

The clash, played on January 31, saw 3DMAX assert control from the outset. In their map pick Inferno, the French-based roster jumped to a commanding lead on their Terrorist side, cruising to a 13-7 finish while stifling FaZe’s momentum. Despite a small attempt at a comeback, FaZe couldn’t match the consistent firepower and coordination that 3DMAX brought throughout the map. 

On Nuke, FaZe’s chosen map, the outcome was even more one-sided. The team from France locked in a ruthless CT side early, relentlessly suppressing FaZe to just two total rounds and sealing the 13-2 win with authority — a result that underlined their tactical discipline and individual execution across both maps. 

Lineups and Standout Performers

3DMAX fielded their usual five players — bodyy, Lucky, Maka, Ex3rcice, and Graviti — whose synergy has been consistently improving. Among them, Graviti was especially impactful, delivering standout fragging and leading the team statistically in the series. On the FaZe side, leaders such as karrigan, frozen, jcobbb, broky, and Twistzz were unable to find traction, continuing a broader pattern of inconsistent form for the squad. 

The Significance of the Win

This victory places 3DMAX into the upper bracket semifinals of Group B, keeping them in strong contention as the tournament progresses into deeper rounds. Their performance followed earlier wins in Stage 1 over FUT and BC.Game, demonstrating that their momentum at IEM Kraków isn’t accidental but a continuation of solid strategic play and confidence. 

For FaZe, the loss marks a troubling continuation of a slow start to the 2026 competitive season. The historic franchise, fresh off some shaky Major results late last year and with roster expectations always high, now faces early pressure: they must win in the lower bracket to preserve their tournament life. Their next challenger will be the loser of Vitality vs. BC.Game, a matchup that could determine whether FaZe’s IEM run ends prematurely or whether they recalibrate and fight back. 

Broader Context in CS2 Competition

FaZe’s struggles earlier in the season have been noted across the community. After a surprising run to the StarLadder Budapest Major playoffs in late 2025 — where they handled 3DMAX decisively — expectations were high. However, inconsistency has plagued the squad, with some fans and analysts speculating publicly that FaZe’s Major performance may have been a statistical outlier rather than a new baseline for the roster. 

Conversely, 3DMAX’s rise has been quieter but increasingly noticeable. Not traditionally viewed as a top-tier powerhouse, the French organization’s development has shown signs of real integration and tactical growth, allowing them to edge out favored opponents on LAN stages when they play cohesively. The win over FaZe reinforces that narrative and could be a defining moment in their competitive year. 

Looking Ahead in Kraków

With the upper bracket semifinals now booked, 3DMAX will aim to sustain this form and leverage their strong strategic approach to challenge even higher-seeded opponents. Meanwhile, FaZe’s road through the lower bracket will be fraught with danger, and any misstep could result in an early exit from a prestigious IEM event. The rest of the tournament is set to offer more high-stakes CS2 action as teams vie for championship positioning and crucial global ranking points.