Players to Watch as IEM Kraków 2026 Kicks Off the ESL Pro Tour Season

Posted : 28 January 2026

IEM Kraków 2026 marks ESL’s first tournament of the year following the post-Major break and signals the official start of the ESL Pro Tour season. Hosted in Poland, the event brings together 24 of the world’s top Counter-Strike teams, all battling for prestige, valuable ranking points, and a share of the $1m prize pool. With the global elite in attendance, the tournament is expected to deliver high-level competition from start to finish.

One of the standout players entering the event is Team Vitality’s William ‘mezii’ Merriman, who has enjoyed a strong opening to the 2026 season. After establishing himself as one of the game’s most reliable anchors in 2025, mezii continued his form with impactful performances at BLAST Bounty Season 1. Vitality begins its Kraków campaign in Group B, where a potential early clash with FaZe Clan could shape the playoff race.

Team Liquid arrives with renewed momentum after navigating a challenging qualification path, but will compete without Keith ‘NAF’ Markovic due to personal reasons. In his absence, Karim ‘Krimbo’ Moussa steps in as a stand-in, marking his return to Tier 1 competition. Liquid will start in the Play-In stage, facing Ninjas in Pyjamas as they attempt to reach the Group Stage despite roster changes.

Attention will also be on Parivision’s Valdislav ‘xiELO’ Lysov, one of the scene’s fastest-rising young talents. Since joining the Russian lineup in mid-2025, the 19-year-old rifler has impressed on the biggest stage, playing a key role in Parivision’s recent Tier 1 title win. With confidence high and rankings climbing, Kraków offers another opportunity for the team to confirm its place among Counter-Strike’s elite.

Meanwhile, FURIA enters the event with Gabriel ‘FalleN’ Toledo leading the charge. Despite being one of the most experienced players in the tournament, FalleN remains a central figure in FURIA’s success, guiding the team to consistent top finishes. A deep run in Kraków would strengthen FURIA’s grip near the top of the global rankings after narrowly missing recent Grand Final appearances.

Adding further intrigue is the return of Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev to an Intel Extreme Masters event for the first time in three years. Now competing under BC.GAME, the legendary Ukrainian player is seeking to re-establish himself at the highest level. A strong showing in Kraków could be pivotal as his team looks to secure ranking points and build momentum toward future Major qualification.

Players to Watch as IEM Kraków 2026 Kicks Off the ESL Pro Tour Season

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