IEM Rio 2023: All Participants Are Known, Time to Analyze the Favorites
PoligonGreat news everybody! With IEM Rio 2023 just around the corner, we have finally got to know all the participating teams. This year’s CS:GO Championship in Brazil is going to be an outstanding event. The whole CS community is already hyped up for some amazing treats. Let us analyze the participants, as well as focus on bookmakers’ favorites.
CS:GO Championship at IEM Rio 2023
Last year, the IEM in Brazil was a huge success, which led the organizers to a straightforward decision. CS:GO Championship is coming back to Rio De Janeiro!
The world-renowned tournament will take place from April 17 until April 23 at Rio’s Jeunesse Arena. 16 teams are going to compete, and the prize pool this time is $250,000. The EPT Masters Tournament in Brazil is a fan-favorite, which brings together a community of thousands.
Not long ago we finally got to know the complete list of teams, which will take part in this event. Time to explore their chances of winning the tournament and getting that golden ticket to Cologne.
IEM Rio 2023: the Teams
CS:GO enthusiasts are in for a treat since the 16 teams qualified for IEM Rio are among the very best. Fans will have the ability to root for their all-time favorites while legal bookmakers are already making assumptions regarding their favorites.
Without further ado, here is the complete list of teams participating in IEM Rio 2023:
- FaZe Clan (ESL Partner Team)
- Fnatic (ESL Partner Team)
- MOUZ (ESL Partner Team)
- Natus Vincere (ESL Partner Team)
- Ninjas in Pyjamas (ESL Partner Team)
- Team Vitality (ESL Partner Team)
- FURIA Esports (ESL Partner Team)
- Heroic (ESL World Ranking)
- Outsiders (ESL World Ranking)
- Cloud9 (ESL World Ranking)
- OG (ESL World Ranking)
- 9INE (European Qualifier)
- BIG (European Qualifier)
- MIBR (North American Qualifier)
- 9z Team (South American Qualifier)
- IHC Esports (Asian Qualifier)
There you have it, the 16 squads that are about to compete on stage in Rio. As soon as you learn more about the teams, check out current betting tips prepared by Probukmacher.pl experts. This Poland-based website offers up-to-date insights regarding e-sport events and tournaments. Check out the best bookmakers preparing the most reliable bets on CS:GO and IEM tournaments.
Now, the time has come to meet the contestants.
FaZe Clan
This American e-sport team is currently among the bookies’ favorites to win the whole tournament. FaZe Clan had a surprisingly outstanding 2022, winning four major CS:GO events (IEM Katowice, ESL Pro League Season 15, PGL Major Antwerp, and IEM Cologne).
FaZe Clan’s active squad is currently:
- rain
- broky
- Twistzz
- karrigan (IGL)
- ropz
- RobbaN (Coach)
Fnatic
Coming straight out of Great Britain, Fnatic has been a fan favorite for many years. Sadly, their last major win was at IEM World Championship in 2018, followed by two championships at WESG and DreamHack Masters Malmoe. Bookmakers say they do not stand a chance in Rio, yet, never say never.
Fnatic’s current players are:
- KRIMZ
- mezii (IGL)
- nicoodoz
- roeJ
- FASHR
- keita (Coach)
MOUZ
For over 20 years, this German team has seen it all. Formerly known as mousesports, the MOUZ team has nurtured some of the world’s best CS:GO players. Nowadays, the squad might not be listed among bookies’ favorites, but still, they could provide a lot of excitement during the games.
Here is the active squad of MOUZ:
- frozen
- dexter (IGL)
- torzsi
- JDS
- xertioN
- sycrone (Coach)
Natus Vincere
The world-famous Natus Vincere team was “born to win”. Or at least that is what their name says in Latin. After a strong 2021 season, NaVi managed to pull off just one major win at BLAST Premier: Spring Finals 2022. The squad lost their semifinal match at IEM Katowice 2023, which could lead to them becoming an unexpected favorite in Rio.
NaVi’s squad is as listed:
- s1mple
- electroNic (IGL)
- Perfecto
- b1t
- npl
- b1ad3 (Coach)
Ninjas in Pyjamas
This team coming all the way from Sweden was founded in 2000, then dissolved in 2007, only to come back to e-sport in 2012. Without dev1ce (who left in 2022 for Astralis), the group is having a hard time lately. It is fair enough to say that Ninjas in Pyjamas are too sleepy to become the bookmaker’s favorites in 2023.
NIP players are:
- REZ
- Brollan
- Aleksib (IGL)
- headtr1ck
- k0nfig
- djL (Coach)
Team Vitality
When it comes to CS:GO, Team Vitality is one of the youngest but most award-winning e-sport teams. Last year, the group managed to be runners-up at BLAST Premier: Spring Finals 2022 only to score a major win at ESL Pro League Season 16. 2023 has not yet been the luckiest for the French team but they are a force to be reckoned with.
Team Vitality active members are:
- apEX (IGL)
- ZywOo
- dupreesh
- Magisk
- Spinx
- zonic (Coach)
FURIA Esports
These guys are playing at home. FURIA Esports is a Brazilian professional e-sports team founded in 2017. In 2022, their major achievement was winning the PGL Major Antwerp 2022: American RMR. At the upcoming IEM Rio 2023, they will have to face huge local fandom pressure.
The current active FURIA Esports player roster:
- yuurih
- arT (IGL)
- KSCERATO
- Drop
- Saffee
- Guerri (Coach)
Heroic
Since its inception in 2016, the Heroic group has been one of the most successful Scandinavian e-sport organizations. Based in Oslo, Norway, the team consists only of Danish CS:GO players, who managed to be runners-up at IEM Katowice 2023. Last year, the team won several times: PGL Major Antwerp 2022: European RMR A, Pinnacle Cup Championship, and BLAST Premier: Fall Finals 2022.
The current Heroic roster is:
- stavn
- cadiaN (IGL)
- TeSeS
- sjuush
- Jabbi
- Xizt (Coach)
Outsiders
Outsiders are a group of Russian players who used to play for Vitus.pro. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the players have created a new tag to cut ties with the previous organization's ownership ties to firms and people sanctioned by the US and the EU. The new-old team won two major events last year: ESL Challenger at DreamHack Rotterdam 2022 and Intel Extreme Masters Rio Major 2022.
Outsiders are:
- Qikert
- Jame (IGL)
- FL1T
- fame
- KaiR0N-
- dastan (Coach)
Cloud9
The American team is mostly known for their astonishing underdog win at ELEAGUE Boston 2018. Until today, Cloud9 is the only American group with such success during a Major. Last year, the now Russian-Kazakh squad managed to win IEM Dallas. Hence, C9 could become a favorite to enter the playoffs at IEM Rio 2023.
The current Cloud9 team consists of:
- nafany (IGL)
- sh1ro
- Ax1Le
- HObbit
- buster
- groove (Coach)
OG
This Danish e-sports team used to play Dota 2 since 2015 before turning to the CS:GO scene in 2019. The team was successful last year during four separate BLAST Premier events. In 2023, the OG squad is still awaiting its major breakthrough. Can it come during the IEM in Rio? Only time will tell.
OG’s active players are:
- flameZ
- NEOFRAG
- F1KU
- degster
- niko (Stand-In)
- ruggah (Coach)
9INE
Yet another Swedish e-sports organization participating in the upcoming IEM Rio 2023, is 9INE. This team made it through European qualifications beating HONORIS 2:0 in the Upper Bracket Final. Moreover, this year the group managed to win OMEN WGR Challenge 2023 and play semifinals at both European Development Championship Season 7 and CCT South Europe Series #3.
9INE consists of an all-Polish roster:
- Goofy
- KEi
- Kylar
- mynio (IGL)
- hades
- nawrot (Coach)
BIG
The second European qualifier, who won the Lower Bracket Final against HONORIS (2:1), is Berlin International Gaming. BIG was founded in 2017 by players engaged in the NRG Esports organization. This German team won the Roobet Cup last year and is likely to become one of the most interesting European groups to follow.
The current BIG squad is:
- tabseN (IGL)
- faveN
- Krimbo
- k1to
- hyped
- gob b (Couch)
MIBR
Interestingly, there will be two Brazilian teams playing at IEM Rio 2023. Apart from FURIA Esports, local fans can root for MIBR. The team has won the North American Qualifier because it belongs to the US-based Immortals Gaming Club. Their last more successful games were in 2020, therefore, the group is not considered to be a bookmaker favorite.
MIBR’s active players are:
- exit (IGL)
- Tuurtle
- brnz4n
- HEN1
- insani
- BIT
9z Team
South American Qualifiers winners were members of the Argentinian 9z Team. Last year, the group managed to secure a nice win during FiReLEAGUE 2022: Argentinian League. Recent form is mixed, therefore the odds are against the team’s success at IEM Rio 2023.
9z Team;s current roster is:
- dgt
- max (IGL)
- dav1deu5
- buda
- try
- tge (Coach)
IHC Esports
The last team joining the participants at Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2023 is the surprising Asian qualifier. Coming from Mongolia and founded in 2021, IHC Esports was able to compete against more experienced local players. Some CS:GO Championship enthusiasts could say that the squad will be the dark horse of the tournament. However, the best bookmakers do not support this idea.
The team of IHC Esports is:
- bLitz
- Techno4K
- Bart4k
- kabal
- ANNIHILATION
- maaRaa
IEM Rio 2023 Schedule
CS:GO fans can already start preparing their bets and start rooting for their favorite teams. Even if we still do not know what the IEM Rio 2023 groups will look like, the sooner you prepare to examine the odds, the better. After all, the grand tournament is just around the corner!
What is the actual IEM Rio 2023 schedule? The event will be held at the renowned Jeunesse Arena in Rio De Janeiro from April 17 to April 23. At first, the competition begins with a Play-In, followed by a 16-team Double Elimination.
Once the top eight teams progress to the main event, games will be played on a 2 x 8 Double Elimination format.
The top three squads from each of the two groups will then proceed to the Playoffs. Two teams will join them directly in the Semifinals while the remaining four will meet in the quarterfinals.
The IEM Rio 2023 Final is scheduled for April 23.
Who Are the Favorites In CS:GO at IEM?
Betting on IEM Rio 2023 can become a highly satisfying activity. When comparing odds, it is best to visit legal bookmakers' websites from different countries well-known for their doings in e-sports. Among them, we recommend checking out the best Polish bookmakers, which you can find here: https://www.probukmacher.pl/ranking-bukmacherow/cs-go/.
Time to name the one IEM Rio 2023 CS:GO favorite in Poland:
● FaZe Clan. Since karrigan became the team’s In-Game Leader, the group has started playing more boldly. This new style has paid off in 2022 when FaZe secured their first win in 4 years. Most importantly, they won at IEM Katowice. Moreover, the team was also the best at ESL Pro League Season 15, PGL Major Antwerp, and IEM XVII Cologne. Therefore, the squad is mentioned among the solemn favorites before this year’s Rio tournament.
Group Stage Favorites
We are still waiting for the IEM Rio 2023 groups to be drawn. Hence, it is difficult to predict who can enter the Playoffs since some of the top-tier teams could be eliminated during the group stage.
Playoffs Favorites
Looking at previous CS:GO events and comparing the participants’ forms, there are a few major favorites among IEM Rio 2023 players. Apart from FaZe Clan, the best bookmakers underline NaVi as an important contestant. Watch out for Team Vitality, C9, and Heroic: all of these teams could possibly be this year’s dark horses!
Top Players Favorites
Who is more likely to become the MVP at the upcoming IEM in Brazil? These are the three bookies’ favorites:
● Finn "karrigan" Andersen (FaZe Clan): since the player returned to his previous team only to become its IGL, FaZe Clan has renewed their game. The squad is a force to be reckoned with, and karrigan has all it takes to lead his colleagues to victory.
● Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyljev (NaVi): a real legend among CS:GO professional players in e-sports. The best player of 2018, 2021, and 2022. The MVP of 21 pro tournaments, including IEM Cologne 2022. Need we say anything more?
● Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut (Vitality): HLTV crowned this French player the best of all in 2019 and 2020. Moreover, he took 2nd place in 2021 and 2022. Right now he is one of the hottest CS:GO pros, very likely to be one of the most successful guys at the IEM Rio.
IEM Rio 2023 Betting Tips
Professional bookmaker analysts share the most insightful tips on how to bet on IEM Rio 2023. We recommend exploring their opinions on the current tournament favorites.
A quick tip: while betting, try watching live streams of all the matches that interest you. It will help you make more spot-on choices during the competition.
Where to Watch IEM Rio 2023?
The organizers will stream the upcoming event on their official Twitch and YouTube profiles.
CS:GO Championship Calendar
As far as the upcoming CS:GO events are concerned, this year we are about to witness the following contests:
- IEM Dallas 2023 (May 29 – June 4)
- IEM Cologne 2023 (July 25 – August 6)
- ESL Pro League Season 18 (August 15 – September 24)
- IEM Fall 2023 (October 16 – October 22)
IEM Katowice 2023
The first Intel Extreme Masters tournament of 2023 was held in the Polish city of Katowice. The G2 Esports team was the winner and, apart from prize money, received a ticket to IEM Cologne. Among the teams they defeated, was Rio’s favorite, FaZe Clan.
FAQ
Who Is the Most Likely to Play IEM Rio 2023 Finals?
Bookmakers consider FaZe Clan and Natus Vincere to be the most likely teams to compete in the final game.
Where Can I Buy Tickets to IEM Rio 2023?
Tickets are available through the official website of IEM Rio 2023.
Where Can I Bet on IEM Rio 2023 Matches?
Find the best bookmakers, which operate in your country, or try international betting sites available worldwide.
Dawid Żurawski, editor of Probukmacher.pl Once an avid Counter Strike Global Offensive player. He was able to rank Global on an old laptop with a 60Hz screen. He loves watching Polish players on the pro scene. A fan of the old Virtus Pro.