The biggest talking points from the latest CS:GO rankings update

With CS:GO returning to LAN at IEM Fall: EU and the first Major since 2019 at PGL Stockholm looming on the horizon, the latest ranking changes have brought with them several interesting storylines for the community to digest. 

As the game approaches one of its most defining points in its history, here are some of the biggest talking points from its latest rankings update. 

FaZe making strides

Since arriving as the in-game leader with the team ranked as low as 39th, Finn “karrigan” Andersen has successfully restored FaZe Clan as one of CS:GO’s most consistent faces at the top end of the world rankings.

The side reached their highest position since December 2018 on the back of a strong showing at IEM Cologne, climbing up to 4th in the world, however, their failure to make the playoffs at ESL Pro League Season 14 saw that rank drop slightly to 6th. 

But recent wins over fellow international orgs OG and Complexity at the BLAST Fall Groups not only secured a place in the upcoming Fall Finals but was enough to see the team climb a place in the world rankings and earn back the title of being one of CS:GO’s top five teams. 

With the team set to return to LAN at the likes of IEM Fall: EU and the BLAST Fall Finals, this recent ranking could be the point the community ends up looking back at as the moment FaZe took their first stride back to the top.

GODSENT leap +37 places

GODSENT’s switch from an international lineup to an all-Brazilian one with Epitácio “TACO” de Melo at the helm for the first time in his career has been one of the most intriguing storylines in NA CS this year, however with an average age of just 21.6 years of age, it’s perhaps understandable why the project has been something of a slow burner so far. 

The team arguably secured the most defining result of their tenure together at DreamHack Open: September 2021 North America, defeating Extra Salt in a thrilling 3-2 grand final series that needed overtime on the final map to finally be settled. 

The Brazilians rose a whopping thirty-seven places in the world rankings on the back of their performance at DreamHack, rising to 37th and their second-highest position since this lineup was formed in January. 

With this one dramatic ranking change, GODSENT now find themselves as the third highest-ranked side in Brazil’s regional rankings, climbing seven places to leapfrog the likes of 00Nation, mibr, and TeamOne ahead of the upcoming IEM Fall: NA RMR event. 

Fnatic back in the top 20 

CS fans have to go back to April for the last time Fnatic were in the top twenty in the world rankings, with the Black and Orange going through arguably their worst ever run of form in the CS:GO era. 

The org’s dismal showings have resulted in the most dramatic shakeup in the team’s history, with Fnatic going international for the first time with the additions of William “mezii” Merriman, Alex “ALEX” McMeekin, and Jamie “keita” Hall.

Under the leadership of ALEX and keita, Fnatic have already looked so much more improved than before, making the playoffs at ESL Pro League Season 14 and booking their place back on LAN at IEM Fall with a win over Eternal Fire, sealing their place amongst CS:GO’s top twenty teams. 

IEM Fall will be the first event back on LAN for the majority of Fnatic’s lineup, however, after a dismal showing at Flashpoint Season 3, Fnatic need a showing better than that of just another top twenty team to qualify for this year’s Major.