FaZe Clan Stunned by EYEBALLERS in Opening Match of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1

FaZe Clan Stunned by EYEBALLERS in Opening Match of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1

FaZe Clan — one of the most renowned Counter-Strike 2 organizations in the world — suffered a surprise defeat to underdogs EYEBALLERS in the first round of the BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 closed qualifiers. The loss, which came in a best-of-three format, marks a disappointing start to the 2026 competitive season for FaZe and raised questions about the team’s readiness after the off-season. 

The match took place on January 13, 2026, as part of the online BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 event, an early Season 1 tournament in the BLAST Bounty series. BLAST Bounty events feature single-elimination brackets where the winner of each tie advances and the loser is eliminated — making the opening rounds especially high-stakes for all competitors involved. 

Match Overview: Map-by-Map Breakdown

The winners of the tie were EYEBALLERS, who secured a 2–1 victory over FaZe in a three-map series. Although FaZe started strong, the Swedish side fought back to take the next two maps and the series overall: 

• Ancient: FaZe won 13–6 to take an early lead in the series, with frozen posting a standout 2.14 rating on the map.

• Mirage: EYEBALLERS responded emphatically, winning 13–4 to level the scoreline.

• Inferno: The decider went convincingly to EYEBALLERS, 13–7, sealing the upset.

The overall result — a 2–1 series in favor of the Swedish side — stunned many in the CS2 community, as FaZe entered the match as overwhelming favorites. 

Why This Upset Matters

FaZe Clan’s defeat is significant for several reasons:

1. FaZe’s Recent Form: FaZe ended 2025 with a deep run at the StarLadder Budapest Major, reaching the finals before losing to Team Vitality. Their performance in Hungary was viewed as a major achievement after what had been an up-and-down year. 

2. Off-Season Preparation Concerns: In post-match comments, FaZe players acknowledged that their preparation during the off-season may not have been optimal. Twistzz, one of the team’s key players, said that practice “hasn’t been the best for us this season,” and described this match as merely an online best-of-three, though still a sharp disappointment from the perspective of FaZe’s ambitions. 

3. EYEBALLERS’ Rise: EYEBALLERS is not a typical tier-one competitor. The Swedish squad, led by Jesper “JW” Wecksell — the veteran former Fnatic star — seized a rare opportunity to face top competition thanks to other teams declining invites. Their victory represents one of the first major upsets of the 2026 CS2 season. 

Many analysts highlighted JW’s leadership and experience as crucial factors in the win, underscoring his ability to elevate less-established talent on EYEBALLERS. 

Context: BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1

The BLAST Bounty series is one of the first competitive circuits in the 2026 Counter-Strike season. Unlike traditional league play, BLAST Bounty combines direct elimination with a system where teams can earn prize money and “bounties” by defeating opponents. 

The Season 1 closed qualifiers involve 32 teams battling for advancement spots toward the later stages of the tournament. With the win, EYEBALLERS progress to the Round of 16, while FaZe’s journey in this tournament ends much earlier than expected. 

Reactions and Broader CS2 Impact

The result immediately sparked heavy discussion on social media and within the CS2 community. Many fans expressed shock at FaZe’s early exit to a team ranked significantly lower on the global scene. EYEBALLERS’ unexpected success has been framed as a reminder of how volatile early-season online qualifiers can be, especially with teams still shaking out roster synergies after the off-season. 

For FaZe, this loss means reassessment and refocus. The organization has been one of the most consistently high-performing teams in recent years, but the upset highlights how quickly the competitive landscape in CS2 can shift. The team will likely seek improvement in upcoming events — particularly ahead of bigger LAN competitions such as PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 — to reestablish themselves among the elite.