AM Finalize Roster with German Rifler kyuubii, Establishing a German Core for 2026

AM Finalize Roster with German Rifler kyuubii, Establishing a German Core for 2026

AM — the European esports organization competing in Counter-Strike 2 — has announced the signing of German rifler Can “kyuubii” Ali from BIG Academy, completing its lineup ahead of the 2026 competitive season. This move is part of a clear strategy to build a stable roster centered around German talent. 

The addition of kyuubii reunites him with fellow German players Nils “k1to” Gruhne and Pascal “pxsl” Schneider — forming what AM describes as a German core within the squad. These additions come as the organization looks to solidify its identity and climb the Counter-Strike hierarchy following a period of frequent roster changes. 

At just 20 years old, kyuubii brings promising statistical performance and experience from one of Germany’s better-known developmental programs. Over the past six months with BIG’s academy team, he maintained an average rating of 1.14, largely in online European competition — a solid showing that underscores his readiness for a more central role at AM. 

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Background: From BIG Academy to Center Stage

Before joining AM, kyuubii spent his early professional years across several organizations and roles:

• He started gaining attention as a prospect in the German Counter-Strike scene, including a stint on Fnatic’s inactive roster prior to January 2025.

• In early 2025, he was signed to BIG’s main Counter-Strike squad alongside Marcel “hyped” Köhn, marking his entry into top-tier competition.

• Later in 2025, he was moved to BIG Academy after changes to the main roster. While there, he produced respectable performances, contributing to competitive showings in regional events such as DACH Masters and the United21 League, according to esports reporting during the transfer period.

This trajectory — from academy environments to a full starting lineup — is typical for young riflers seeking consistent playtime and development before becoming anchors of emerging teams. Now at AM, he will likely take on a leadership-by-example role alongside k1to and pxsl. 

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What This Means for AM’s Competitive Prospects

AM’s official lineup now stands as:

• Nils “k1to” Gruhne – German rifler

• Pascal “pxsl” Schneider – German rifler

• Can “kyuubii” Ali – German rifler

• Alexander “Altekz” Givskov – Danish rifler

• Jonathan “delle” Ahlstedt – Swedish rifler

• Coach: Jonathan “MusambaN1” Torrent

This configuration creates a diverse roster with strong German representation — something that regional fans have pointed to as a positive development for the domestic scene, which has looked to rebuild competitive momentum after key departures from other organizations. 

According to HLTV’s Valve Regional Rankings (VRS) for Counter-Strike 2, AM currently sits around #60 world ranking. While this places them outside the very top tier, it also situates the team comfortably within reach of invite-level competition in European regional circuits — particularly if their German core can gel and perform consistently in early 2026. 

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A Look at the German CS Scene and Broader Context

The German Counter-Strike landscape has undergone significant shifts over recent years. Traditionally, organizations like BIG and G2 Esports (based in Berlin) fielded German talent at elite levels, but ongoing roster churn and international signings have seen local prospects seek new opportunities. 

In that context, an emerging roster like AM’s — built around German players — carries symbolic importance for fans who hope to see more domestic lineups compete effectively in major events. kyuubii’s move, therefore, is not only a personal step forward but also part of a broader restructuring of German CS talent pathways in the Counter-Strike 2 era. 

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Outlook

With kyuubii officially on board, AM enters 2026 with a defined core and renewed ambition. The team’s success will hinge on how quickly its members adapt to each other’s playstyles and how well they perform against other up-and-coming European squads. For kyuubii, this stage offers a chance to transition from a promising academy player into a key competitive rifleman central to his team’s identity.