FaZe Clan’s run at the Budapest Major is unraveling fast. After opening the tournament with promise, the international powerhouse now sits at a dangerous 1-2 record, one defeat away from an early Stage 1 exit. Losses to Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) and NRG have left Finn “karrigan” Andersen and his squad fighting for their tournament lives. Their next match against RED Canids on Nov. 26 is a must-win, anything less means a stunning elimination.
A Strong Start That Quickly Collapsed
FaZe kicked things off with what looked like a statement win, dismantling Lynn Vision 13–5 on Nuke. Twistzz and frozen delivered heavy firepower, and FaZe appeared ready to cruise through the early stage of the Major.
But from that point forward, the wheels came off.
NRG handed FaZe their first loss, winning 13–10 on Dust2 while playing with their coach as a stand-in IGL. Despite the role mismatch, NRG out-called and out-gunned a FaZe roster filled with superstars, a shocking blow that instantly put them on the defensive.
Things only got worse against NiP. Though FaZe converted both pistol rounds on Overpass, they fell flat everywhere else. NiP’s tactical leader Snappi read them like a book, dominating mid-round calling and countering FaZe’s setups with ease. Sniper r1nkle also popped off, adding even more pressure to an already overwhelmed FaZe.
Despite the 13–8 scoreline, the match never felt competitive. For a team historically strong on Overpass, the performance raised major red flags.
Why FaZe Is Struggling So Badly
FaZe’s issues at this Major aren’t happening in isolation, they’re the continuation of a rocky 2025. The roster has dealt with ongoing instability, role juggling, and inconsistent star performances.
Throughout the year, FaZe looked unable to settle:
- s1mple stood in for broky at Austin
- jcobbb was benched to field Twistzz for roster eligibility
- Core roles have been shuffled multiple times
- No player has stepped into the “carry” role that ropz and s1mple previously filled
At the Budapest Major, that instability has boiled over. None of FaZe’s stars are performing at a level that can drag the team out of tough positions, and their normally reliable calling structure feels fractured. karrigan’s signature mid-round magic simply isn’t showing up.
Do They Survive Stage 1?
FaZe’s immediate test is RED Canids, and realistically, even an out-of-form FaZe lineup should be favored in that matchup.
But the bigger challenge is what likely comes next, a deciding match against Fluxo, according to event simulations. On paper, FaZe has the stronger roster, but Fluxo has been one of the most explosive underdogs in Budapest.
Both fnatic and GamerLegion learned firsthand how quickly Fluxo can punish slow or sloppy CS. With FaZe already struggling to find momentum, this could be a dangerous collision point.
Key questions loom:
- Can broky return to his trademark aggressive AWPing?
- Can Twistzz and frozen find consistency together?
- Can karrigan deliver the mid-round structure FaZe desperately needs?
If the answers are no… the outcome becomes obvious.
Final Verdict: Win or Go Home
FaZe entered Budapest as Stage 1 favorites. Now? They’re one map away from disaster.
To stay alive, FaZe must look like a completely different team, coordinated, confident, and decisive. If they play like the shaky squad we’ve seen so far, their Major journey ends before it ever really begins.
A legendary organization is slipping toward the exit door. Only FaZe can stop the fall.
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