IEM Cologne 2023 will be full of big CS:GO stars; undoubtedly, it will be a very entertaining tournament. However, it is surprising that 3 of the top 20 CS:GO teams will not attend the tournament.
The list of the teams participating in IEM Cologne 2023 is already published; fans are thrilled to see the best teams in action again. Most of the top 20 CS:GO teams will be present and fighting for a share of the important prize pool. However, three big-name teams will not be attending the tournament.
Three of the top 20 CS:GO teams will miss out on IEM Cologne 2023
This year’s IEM Cologne tournament will occur on July 25, after CS:GO players arrive from their break. This tournament will see big teams fighting for the $1 million prize pool. However, teams OG, Virtus, and BIG have been left out of the tournament.
According to the ranking list of CS:GO teams published by HLTV, the top 8 teams have made their way to the group stage. At the same time, the rest of the participating teams have to fight to make it through the tournament in the double-elimination bracket.
Today all #ESLProTour and World Ranking invites are locked in with #IEM Cologne just 6 weeks away!
Check out how stacked both the play-in and group stage are looking 👇 pic.twitter.com/SVRHtMUaku
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) June 12, 2023
Unfortunately, OG, Virtus, and BIG being unable to secure a spot has prevented CS: GO fans from experiencing a dream tournament with the best 20 teams. Remember that teams could qualify according to their position on the ESL leaderboard. The three mentioned teams have been left out because they have not been able to achieve good results recently.
Both BIG and Virtus Pro are trying to reposition themselves among the best in the CS:GO competitive scene. While OG right now is struggling to get a full lineup. Let’s remember that OG has been changing IGLs lately.
On the other hand, after being crowned champions at IEM Rio under the name Outsiders, Virtus Pro has been practically forgotten. The team struggled mightily in ESL Pro League season 17.
Now, Big was out of the scene after failing to qualify for the tournament held in their home country. The curious thing is that their Academy squad has secured a place in the IEM Cologne 2023. One question on the minds of many CS:GO community members, is how long the current BIG squad will continue after seeing the emerging quality of the academy players.
Great teams at IEM Cologne
IEM Cologne tournaments usually always bring together the best teams of the moment. However, the list of teams that will be present does not surpass that of 2022; this year, only 17 of the top 20 teams will be present at the tournament. While last year 18 of the top 20 teams were present.
Rumors that CS2 will be present at IEM Cologne 2023
The arrival of summer brings the release of CS2. So many people speculate that IEM Cologne 2023 will be played with the new version of Counter-Strike. The rumors have increased after the ESL has been cautiously optimistic about possibly experiencing this important tournament as the inaugural venue for CS2. However, it is important to note that this is not confirmed information; it is only rumored for now.