World number one Team Vitality faces off against world number two FURIA in the Grand Final of IEM Krakow 2026, a best-of-five (Bo5) showdown for $400,000 in prize money and massive Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points.

This $1.222 million S-Tier event, running from January 28 to February 8, 2026, features 16 top CS2 teams in a group stage followed by single-elimination playoffs.

Path to the Grand Final

Vitality has been untouchable, marching through the bracket without dropping a single map. Their dominant run includes 2-0 sweeps over BC.Game, 3DMAX, Aurora, and MOUZ in the semifinals (Nuke 13-7, Dust2 13-6).

FURIA, meanwhile, grinded through the lower bracket with grit, securing a thrilling 2-1 upset over Team Spirit in the semis to reach their first major final since 2022.

Team Rosters

Team Vitality

Player Role
apEX IGL/Support
ropz Rifler
ZywOo Star Rifler
flameZ Rifler
mezii Rifler

FURIA

Player Role
FalleN IGL
yuurih Rifler
KSCERATO Rifler
YEKINDAR Rifler
molodoy AWPer

Vitality's coach XTQZZZ has masterminded their flawless playoff run, while FURIA's revamped lineup with YEKINDAR and molodoy has sparked a resurgence.

Key Players to Watch

  • ZywOo (Vitality): The French superstar boasts a 1.33 rating over the past three months, with 85.8 ADR and elite multi-kill prowess. He's the heavy favorite for MVP.
  • KSCERATO (FURIA): Anchoring the Brazilians at 1.16 rating, 77.4 ADR, and strong KAST (75.6%).
  • molodoy (FURIA): The young AWPer has been a revelation, shining in clutch moments against Spirit.

Head-to-Head Record

Vitality holds a slight edge overall (8-6 series wins), but FURIA claimed the most recent Bo3 2-1 at BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 (Inferno 13-5, Overpass 13-16, Nuke 13-11). In Bo5s, FalleN's experience gives FURIA an edge in long series.

Betting Odds & Community Picks

HLTV community slightly favors FURIA at 52.6% win probability, but markets like Polymarket list Vitality at 67%. Odds vary, with Vitality often around -150 across sites.

Prediction

Vitality's map dominance and ZywOo's peak form make them the pick, but FURIA's aggression and lower-bracket momentum could force overtimes. Vitality wins 3-2. Expect Nuke, Inferno, and Anubis to be battlegrounds.

How to Watch: Livestream Details

  • Start Time: February 8, 2026, at 17:00 CET (16:00 UTC / 11:00 ET / 08:00 PT).

Official Streams

Platform Link
Twitch twitch.tv/ESLCS
YouTube ESL CS2 YouTube

Tune in for English commentary, with regional broadcasts available. Follow live updates on HLTV.org or X (formerly Twitter) with #IEMKrakow2026.

This final promises chaos: French precision vs. Brazilian fire. Who lifts the trophy?