The 5 Oldest and 5 Youngest CS2 Players at the IEM Cologne Major 2026

The IEM Cologne Major 2026 is the biggest Counter-Strike tournament of the year. Thirty-two teams have gathered in Cologne to compete for the most prestigious title in CS2 and secure their place in history.

This Major presents a fascinating mix of generations. Legendary veterans who have already won Majors will share the server with rising stars making their first appearance on the biggest stage in Counter-Strike. Some players are only beginning their professional careers. Others are approaching the final chapters of theirs.

The age gap tells an interesting story about modern Counter-Strike. Experience still matters. Leadership still matters. At the same time, young talent is reaching the top level faster than ever before. Players no longer need years of experience to compete at a Major. Many are ready almost immediately.

Let's take a look at the five oldest and five youngest players attending the IEM Cologne Major 2026 and what they bring to the tournament.

"1. The 5 Oldest and 5 Youngest CS2 Players at the IEM Cologne Major 2026","1.1. The Five Oldest Players","1.2. apEX (33) - Vitality","1.3. fer (34) - Gaimin Gladiators","1.4. FalleN (34) - FURIA","1.5. MAJ3R (35) - Aurora","1.6. karrigan (36) - Falcons","1.7. The Five Youngest Players","1.8. dem0n (18) - FUT","1.9. kyousuke (18) - Falcons","1.10. xelex (17) - MOUZ","1.11. dziugss (17) - FUT","1.12. s1zzi (16) - B8"

The Five Oldest Players

apEX (33) - Vitality

Dan "apEX" Madesclaire continues to extend his own record as the oldest active Major winner in professional Counter-Strike. The French veteran arrives in Cologne with four Major titles and an incredible 22 Major appearances to his name.

This event gives him a realistic opportunity to win his fifth Major championship. If Vitality lift the trophy, apEX will tie dupreeh for the most Major victories in Counter-Strike history. What makes this even more impressive is that he remains a key part of the tournament favorite despite being the oldest player on the roster.

fer (34) - Gaimin Gladiators

Fernando "fer" Alvarenga's appearance at the Major is one of the biggest surprises of the year. The Brazilian veteran has not consistently competed at the highest level since 2022, but Gaimin Gladiators decided to bench felps and give him another opportunity.

Fer is a two-time Major champion and Cologne holds special memories for him. He won the previous Major hosted in Cologne exactly ten years ago. This will be his 14th Major appearance, but perhaps his toughest challenge yet. Gaimin Gladiators enter the event as one of the lowest-ranked teams in the field, making a deep run extremely difficult.

FalleN (34) - FURIA

Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo has openly discussed retirement and confirmed that his next Major will likely be his last. That makes Cologne one of the final opportunities for fans to watch one of Counter-Strike's greatest leaders on the biggest stage.

The two-time Major champion remains the most experienced voice within FURIA and continues to play an important role both in and out of the server. FURIA are expected to compete for a playoff spot, which would be a fitting achievement during the closing stages of FalleN's legendary career.

MAJ3R (35) - Aurora

Engin "MAJ3R" Küpeli enters his sixth Major appearance looking to finally achieve a breakthrough result. The Turkish in-game leader has spent years helping develop teams and talent, but deep Major runs have remained elusive.

His best result came with a playoff appearance in 2024. Since then, he has struggled to advance beyond the group stage. However, Aurora have shown noticeable improvement in recent months, creating hope that MAJ3R could finally challenge for a stronger finish in Cologne.

karrigan (36) - Falcons

Finn "karrigan" Andersen is the oldest player attending the IEM Cologne Major 2026 and potentially the oldest player ever to compete at this level of Counter-Strike.

This tournament marks his 22nd Major appearance, an extraordinary achievement that highlights both his longevity and consistency. Despite being 36 years old, karrigan remains one of the most respected in-game leaders in the world.

His first Major with Falcons comes with significant expectations. The team is widely considered one of the few genuine threats to Vitality's dominance and could potentially reach the Grand Final.

The Five Youngest Players

dem0n (18) - FUT

Dmytro "dem0n" Myroshnychenko is one of two FUT players making their Major debut in Cologne. At just 18 years old, he already has experience winning a major international event thanks to FUT's victory at PGL Bucharest 2026.

That success gives him a level of confidence that many first-time Major players lack. FUT have enough firepower to compete for a playoff spot, making dem0n one of the most interesting young players to watch.

kyousuke (18) - Falcons

Maksim "kyousuke" Lukin may only be 18 years old, but Cologne will already be his second Major appearance.

His first Major came at the StarLadder Budapest Major, where he successfully reached the playoffs. That experience should help him handle the pressure of competing on Counter-Strike's biggest stage. With Falcons expected to challenge for a deep tournament run, kyousuke will have another opportunity to prove himself against the world's best teams.

xelex (17) - MOUZ

Adrian "xelex" Vince is a 17-year-old newcomer making his Major debut after recently earning a place in MOUZ's starting lineup.

The challenge facing him is significant. MOUZ arrive in Cologne with a relatively new roster and several unanswered questions regarding their form. While expectations are lower than usual for the organization, the Major will provide xelex with an invaluable chance to showcase his talent against elite competition.

dziugss (17) - FUT

Džiugas "dziugss" Steponavičius represents a country rarely associated with top-level Counter-Strike. Lithuania has limited esports infrastructure compared to many established regions, making his presence at the Major a notable achievement.

Unlike many young players, however, dziugss arrives with proven success. FUT won PGL Bucharest 2026 earlier this year, meaning he enters the tournament as part of a team that already understands how to win on the international stage.

s1zzi (16) - B8

Danylo "s1zzi" Vynnyk is the youngest player at the IEM Cologne Major 2026 and one of the youngest competitors ever to appear at this level of Counter-Strike.

At only 16 years old, he joins B8 on loan from Spirit and faces the biggest challenge of his career. His individual performances have not yet turned many heads statistically, but reaching a Major at such a young age is already an accomplishment few players can match.

How much will m0NESY, donk, and ZywOo earn in 2026?

The IEM Cologne Major 2026 perfectly captures the transition between generations in professional Counter-Strike.

Veterans like karrigan, FalleN, apEX, and fer bring decades of experience, leadership, and championship pedigree. Meanwhile, players such as s1zzi, dziugss, xelex, and dem0n represent the future of the game.

Some careers are approaching their final chapters. Others are only beginning. That contrast is part of what makes this Major so compelling. Cologne is not only a battle for a championship trophy. It is also a snapshot of Counter-Strike's past, present, and future sharing the same stage.