The Favorites: NAVI, G2, and Vitality Set the Standard

The favorites entering the Shanghai Major are not simply the teams with the most firepower; they are the organizations that have combined elite individual skill with repeatable protocols. Natus Vincere, the reigning Major champions from Copenhagen, remain the benchmark. Under Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen, NAVI have built a system that thrives on disciplined defaults, mid-round calls, and a willingness to sacrifice personal statistics for map control. Justinas “jL” Lekavicius and Mihai “iM” Ivan have developed into reliable closers, while Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov gives the team a young but fearless AWPer who can hold angles against the best in the world. Their challenge in Shanghai will be adapting to a meta that may shift toward more aggressive double-awp setups and faster pace.

G2 Esports arrive with one of the most explosive rosters in CS2. Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov is widely regarded as the best pure AWPer of his generation, and Nikola “NiKo” Kovač remains a terrifying rifler in space-creating roles. The addition of Nemanja “huNter-” Kovač and Janusz “Snax” Pogorzelski has given G2 more structure in late-round situations, though the team can still lapse into over-aggression. Vitality, meanwhile, rely on Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, a player capable of single-handedly winning series. With Dan “apEX” Madesclaire calling and Lotan “Spinx” Giladi supporting, Vitality’s ceiling is immense, but their floor depends on whether their utility usage and anti-eco discipline hold up under Major pressure. Shanghai’s crowd and long event format will test all three.

Eastern European Powerhouses: Team Spirit and MOUZ Bring Star Firepower

Team Spirit enter the Shanghai Major as one of the most feared teams in the world, largely because of Danil “donk” Kryshkovets. The young rifler has redefined entry fragging in CS2 with absurd reaction time, aggressive peeks, and confidence that borders on recklessness. Around him, Leonid “chopper” Vishnyakov provides experienced in-game leadership, while Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov anchors the AWP position with patient, clinical play. Spirit’s map pool is deep: they are comfortable on Ancient, Nuke, and Mirage, and they can overwhelm opponents with fast-paced executes before switching to slow, methodical defaults. Their main question mark is whether they can handle the emotional weight of a Major playoff stage, especially against teams that will study donk’s tendencies and force him into uncomfortable positions.

MOUZ represent the opposite end of the Eastern European spectrum: young, hungry, and highly structured. Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek has emerged as one of the brightest tactical minds in CS2, orchestrating a roster that includes Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás, Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo, Dorian “xertioN” Berman, and Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin. MOUZ thrive on coordinated map control, trade-heavy site takes, and a willingness to play for late-round information rather than forcing early duels. Their weakness has historically been closing out big matches; they often reach deep stages but falter against veteran opposition. In Shanghai, MOUZ will need torzsi to be consistent on the AWP and siuhy to outcall elite IGLs such as Aleksib and karrigan. If both happen, MOUZ can reach the playoffs and potentially challenge for the title.

The Tactical Middle Class: FaZe, Astralis, and The MongolZ Seek Consistency

FaZe Clan remain one of the most recognizable brands in Counter-Strike, but they enter the Shanghai Major with more questions than usual. Finn “karrigan” Andersen is still one of the best in-game leaders in history, capable of turning mediocre map pools into championship runs through sheer creativity. However, FaZe’s firepower has become inconsistent. Robin “ropz” Kool is a world-class lurker, Håvard “rain” Nygaard can still open up sites with aggressive entries, and Helvijs “broky” Saukants is a reliable AWPer, but the team has struggled to string together dominant series against top-five opponents. David “frozen” Čerňanský adds young skill, yet FaZe must solve their CT-side mid-round calling and avoid passive stretches that let opponents take map control for free.

Astralis arrive in Shanghai hoping to recapture the aura that once made them the most feared organization in CS. With Nicolai “device” Reedtz back on the AWP and a supporting cast that includes Martin “stavn” Lund, Jakob “jabbi” Nygaard, and Victor “Staehr” Staehr, Astralis have the individual talent to beat anyone. Their problem is cohesion: role clashes, inconsistent utility usage, and questionable late-round decisions have plagued them throughout the CS2 era. The MongolZ, by contrast, are a rising force from Asia with nothing to lose. Players such as Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch and Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren have shown they can compete internationally, and the Shanghai crowd may adopt them as a home-region favorite. If The MongolZ can convert their aggressive style into disciplined executes, they are a genuine playoff threat.

Dark Horses and Regional Threats: Liquid, Complexity, and Asian Qualifiers

Every Major needs a disruptor, and in Shanghai several dark horses could spoil the plans of established favorites. Team Liquid enter with a mix of veteran experience and youthful energy. Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken is a proven Major winner, Keith “NAF” Markovic remains one of the most consistent lurkers in North America, and Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis provides explosive entry fragging. However, Liquid’s inconsistency has been their defining trait: they can beat top teams in group stages and then collapse in playoffs. Their success in Shanghai will depend on whether their new-look roster can stabilize its CT sides and avoid losing anti-eco rounds. If Liquid find rhythm early, they have the firepower to reach the quarterfinals.

Complexity represent the stubborn, tactical side of North American CS2. With Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski leading the charge, Michael “Grim” Wince and Johnny “JT” Theodosiou provide solid rifling support, while Paytyn “junior” Johnson and Håkon “hallzerk” Fjærli round out the roster. Complexity are not the most explosive team, but they play disciplined defaults and can punish overconfident opponents with well-timed executes. The Asian qualifiers add another layer of intrigue. Teams from China, Mongolia, and the wider Pacific region will enjoy crowd support and may play with unusual freedom. Rare Atom, Lynn Vision, and other regional squads have shown flashes of brilliance against international competition. While they may lack the depth to win the entire Major, they can absolutely eliminate a sleeping giant in the Swiss stages. In Shanghai, the gap between tier-one giants and regional challengers may be smaller than many expect.