Zeus Shares IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 1 Pick’Em Predictions for CS2

Former NAVI captain and Major winner Danylo Teslenko has revealed his Pick’Em predictions for Stage 1 of the IEM Cologne Major 2026, giving fans another high-profile look at how experts expect the opening phase of the tournament to unfold.

Zeus shared his CS2 Pick’Em selections during a livestream discussion with former NAVI coach Mykhailo Blagin. According to the original report from Cybersport.ru, the pair analyzed the Stage 1 bracket and discussed which teams are most likely to advance to the next phase of the Cologne Major.

Zeus’ IEM Cologne Major 2026 Pick’Em Predictions

For his undefeated 3-0 picks, Zeus selected:

B8 Esports

GamerLegion

He also predicted the following teams to qualify for Stage 2:

M80

MIBR

NRG Esports

BIG

BetBoom Team

Team Liquid

During the stream, kane reportedly convinced Zeus to leave TYLOO out of the final qualification list.

IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 1 Format

Stage 1 of the Cologne Major will run from June 2 to June 5 and feature 16 teams competing in a Swiss-system bracket. Eight teams will advance to Stage 2, while the remaining squads will be eliminated from the tournament.

Opening and elimination matches in Stage 1 are scheduled as best-of-three series, while the remaining matches are best-of-one. The event is one of the biggest tournaments in the 2026 Counter-Strike 2 calendar and continues ESL’s long-running Cologne legacy.

Other CS2 Pros Reveal Their Pick’Em Predictions

Zeus is not the only CS2 figure sharing Pick’Em predictions ahead of the Major.

Nikola Kovač also published his Stage 1 Pick’Em picks, backing teams such as GamerLegion, BIG, BetBoom Team, B8, Team Liquid, and MIBR to advance. However, NiKo additionally predicted HEROIC and TYLOO to qualify. He projected Gaimin Gladiators and THUNDER dOWNUNDER to finish the stage with a 0-3 record.

Meanwhile, Anatoly Averkov, analyst for Team Spirit, highlighted BetBoom Team’s recent improvement when discussing his own Pick’Em predictions.

“We’re cheering for the brothers from BetBoom Team, they’ve gained form.”

Clife also predicted GamerLegion, HEROIC, Team Liquid, B8, SINNERS, and BIG to advance from Stage 1.

IEM Cologne Major 2026 Opening Matchups

Several high-profile matches are already drawing attention ahead of the event’s opening day, including:

GamerLegion vs NRG

B8 vs TYLOO

BetBoom Team vs Gaimin Gladiators

BIG vs Team Liquid

MIBR vs THUNDER dOWNUNDER

M80 vs Lynn Vision

The results of these matches could immediately impact Pick’Em standings and shape the Swiss bracket going forward.

CS2 Cologne 2026 Viewer Pass and Stickers Released

Valve recently launched the Counter-Strike 2 Cologne 2026 Viewer Pass, Pick’Em Challenge, and team stickers update, allowing players to earn rewards and upgrade their event coin through successful predictions.

The sticker release also generated discussion within the CS2 community. Aleksandr Zagodyrenko revealed that Valve rejected one version of his autograph sticker design, while Ivan Gogin also shared an unused concept for his Cologne 2026 signature sticker.

With the Pick’Em Challenge now live, fans across the CS2 scene are comparing predictions from pro players, analysts, and former champions ahead of one of the most anticipated Counter-Strike tournaments of the year.