Major Finalist FaZe Eliminated on the First Day of BLAST Bounty 2026

Thales Costa

2026 wasn't supposed to start like this for FaZe Clan AT ALL. After clawing their way to the grand finals of the Budapest Major just weeks ago, the team walked into BLAST Bounty Season 1 as heavy favorites against JW's EYEBALLERS. Reality hit hard when the Swedish underdogs eliminated them 2-1 in the opening round.

Ninety-four percent of fans predicted FaZe would cruise through this matchup. They weren't exactly wrong at first, FaZe went 13-6 on Ancient and looked ready to wrap things up quickly. But EYEBALLERS, featuring the return of legendary AWPer Jesper "JW" Wecksell to the top-tier Counter-Strike, had different plans.

When Everything Fell Apart

Mirage changed everything. EYEBALLERS absolutely demolished FaZe 13-4, and suddenly the #8 ranked team in the world was sweating against their opponents who currently sit at #30. The Swedish squad's young guns finally woke up, showing the kind of firepower that makes you wonder if the rankings need a serious update.

Inferno turned into a nightmare for karrigan's crew. EYEBALLERS grabbed the first half 7-5, then flipped to their T-side and unleashed chaos. FaZe's CT setup crumbled under the relentless pressure. The star player bobeksde went absolutely berserk across both Mirage and Inferno, grabbing fearless entries and making sure FaZe never found their rhythm. When the dust settled, it wasn't even close.

The Upset Nobody Saw Coming

This wasn't just any loss. FaZe came into Copenhagen carrying serious momentum from their Major run, where they pulled off one of the most insane comebacks in recent memory against Natus Vincere. Down 13-5 on Ancient and 8-2 on Nuke in that semifinal, they refused to quit and forced their way into the grand finals. That kind of mental fortitude was supposed to carry them through early-round matches like this one.

But EYEBALLERS didn't care about storylines or rankings. JW's return to the big stage isn't just a nostalgic trip, it's a statement. The clash between him and karrigan, two veterans from the CS:GO glory days, was supposed to be a fun warmup match. Instead, it became the first major shock of BLAST Bounty 2026.

Can They Bounce Back?

The early exit stings, especially after the high of Budapest. FaZe's 2025 was rocky at best, and starting 2026 with an elimination against a team they should've beaten raises questions. Can they bounce back and recapture that Major magic, or was Budapest just a flash in the pan?

For EYEBALLERS, this win proves Swedish Counter-Strike still has bite. If upsets of this magnitude happen in the opening rounds, who knows what else BLAST Bounty has in store.

So don't forget to follow Strafe Esports for the latest news about your favorite esports, and check out our X account for the most recent content and coverage.

Also, stay tuned to the Strafe YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and much more.

Featured image credit: LTA Sul

LCS 2026 Season Returns with New Americas Cup, Road Shows, Fantasy Update, and More

Minecraft Builder Recreates CS2's Train and Sees it Ported Back to Counter-Strike