Gentle Mates, RED Canids and HOTU quailfy for IEM Rio 2026

The trio of Mild Mates, RED Canids, and HOTU have secured locations at IEM Rio 2026 via the Counter-Strike 2 occasion’s closed qualifier.

Mild Mates and HOTU superior via the worldwide qualifier, whereas RED Canids earned its place via the South American qualifier.

Following the early eliminations of Fnatic and BC.GAME, HOTU navigated its approach via the higher bracket with victories over Mild Mates and 9INE, establishing an higher bracket closing conflict in opposition to BetBoom Crew.

David ‘n0rbe3r7‘ Danielyan led the cost within the best-of-three as HOTU secured a 2-0 sweep to e book its place in the principle occasion alongside a few of Counter-Strike’s powerhouse rosters.

Mild Mates battled via the decrease bracket, taking down Crew Nemesis, Ursa, and 9INE to hitch BetBoom Crew within the decrease bracket closing for an opportunity to safe the ultimate place from the worldwide qualifier. Each side received their respective map picks to pressure an Overpass decider, the place Mild Mates emerged victorious to qualify.

For RED Canids, the South American facet bested Sharks Esports, Imperial Esports, and BESTIA on its strategy to the Grand Ultimate. BESTIA made it to the Grand Ultimate via the decrease bracket and commenced the best-of-three with victory on Nuke to maneuver inside one map of qualification. RED Canids bounced again with wins on Historic and Inferno to finish a 2-1 collection victory to safe its first Tier 1 look of 2026.

Following the conclusion of the net qualifiers, the total IEM Rio 2026 is as follows:

Going down from April thirteenth to nineteenth, 2026, the 16 groups will compete for a share of $300,000 (~£219,475) in prize cash and Valve Regional Standings (VRS) factors. For Mild Mates, RED Canids, and HOTU, competing in Rio is a chance to climb the rankings and earn a spot on the IEM Cologne Main going down in June.