Big names miss out as CS:GO IEM Cologne team list finalised

    Seventeen of CS:GO's top 20 teams will feature at IEM Cologne 2023, with a $1million prize pool on offer.

    Counter Strike Image credit: SALive Image Counter Strike

    However, BIG, Virtus Pro and OG failed to qualify. The top eight teams secured Group Stage spots, while others must fight through Play-Ins.

    These teams couldn't achieve top rankings or tournament wins, placing them outside ESL's top 20.

    Virtus Pro won IEM Rio but have struggled since, reaching the IEM Katowice playoffs but faltering in ESL Pro League Season 17.

    Dzhami 'Jame' Ali's team excelled at ESL Challenger Katowice, securing EPL Season 18 but missed Cologne due to decaying points.

    BIG's downfall was failing to qualify, while their Academy squad made Play-Ins via ESL Meisterschaft.