FaZe slump continues in 2026: Aurora secure narrow win as karrigan calls form “completely shit”

FaZe’s disastrous 2026 form worsened after a 2-1 loss to Aurora at BLAST Open Rotterdam, dropping their record to 3-10 and putting Major qualification in serious danger.

FaZe Clan’s struggles in 2026 show no signs of stopping. The international squad suffered another painful defeat on March 18, falling 1-2 to Aurora in their BLAST Open Rotterdam opener. The loss pushes FaZe’s series record to 3-10 in 2026, raising serious concerns about their chances of qualifying for the upcoming CS2 Major.

Aurora, meanwhile, continue their rise as one of the most in-form teams outside the top tier, building on their recent ESL Pro League Season 23 Grand Final appearance.

Aurora outlast FaZe in close three-map series

The series started on Nuke, where FaZe managed to edge out a win despite early struggles. Individual plays from broky and jcobbb helped stabilize the team after Aurora’s strong start, allowing FaZe to take their map pick.

However, the momentum quickly shifted.

On Inferno, Aurora showcased superior structure and execution on the T side, repeatedly exploiting weaknesses in FaZe’s defensive setups. Despite competitive rounds and flashes of brilliance from FaZe’s individuals, Aurora controlled key moments to level the series.

The decider on Dust2 highlighted FaZe’s ongoing issues. Aurora built an early lead by consistently winning mid control, while Twistzz attempted to drag FaZe back with high-impact multi-kill rounds. Ultimately, late-round heroics from Wicadia sealed the map and the series for Aurora.

FaZe’s 2026 crisis deepens ahead of Major cutoff

This loss is particularly damaging given FaZe’s already poor results this year. With a 3-10 record, the team is now at serious risk of missing out on a direct invite via the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) ahead of the Major cutoff on April 6.

The defeat also comes just days after a major internal change:
FaZe recently parted ways with head coach Filip “NEO” Kubski, ending a long-standing partnership. Analyst GruBy has stepped in as a temporary replacement, but the roster has yet to show improvement.

karrigan reacts to roster struggles and coach removal

In a recent interview, Finn “karrigan” Andersen openly addressed the team’s poor performance:

“Completely shit.”

He also admitted that NEO’s removal was unexpected:

“It kind of came as a surprise to all of us because we’re this close to the Major.”

karrigan suggested the move was meant as a wake-up call:

“It’s more a signal… we need better results.”

So far, those results have not materialized.

Aurora continue upward trajectory after EPL success

While FaZe struggle, Aurora are building serious momentum in 2026. The team recently defeated Legacy and Astralis to reach the ESL Pro League Season 23 final, proving their consistency against top opposition.

Team leader MAJ3R previously highlighted the squad’s growth and confidence, especially after integrating soulfly:

“He’s a very intelligent player… learning fast and doing his best for the team.”

Soulfly himself also reflected on his rapid development:

“It feels really good… it’s my first stage win. I didn’t know I would have so much emotion.”

Despite losing the EPL final to NAVI, Aurora have bounced back immediately—showing resilience that FaZe currently lack.

What’s next for FaZe and Aurora?

Following the loss:

Aurora advance to face FURIA in the upper bracket

FaZe drop to the lower bracket, where they will face TYLOO in an elimination match

For FaZe, the situation is now critical. With their Major hopes hanging by a thread, every match moving forward is effectively do-or-die.