Gentle Mates are returning to VALORANT VCT EMEA in 2026 with a fully overhauled lineup built around experience and high-upside talent. After a turbulent 2025 and a miracle scenario to keep a slot in the league, the French organisation has opted for a complete reset rather than a partial rebuild, choosing to construct a new roster from the ground up instead of retaining a mixed core. The objective is clear: arrive in Berlin with a lineup capable of contesting playoffs immediately, rather than spending the season in transition.

The starting roster features Taranvir "bipo" Singh, Patryk "starxo" Kopczynski, Martin "marteen" Pátek, Patrik "Minny" Hušek and Conner "GLYPH" Garcia. bipo brings explosive Duelist presence, while marteen and Minny provide a flexible European backbone with experience across both VCT and Ascension circuits. starxo steps in as the seasoned IGL and former world champion, adding crucial structure, mid-round leadership, and composure on stage to a lineup otherwise characterised by raw mechanical ability.

Rounding out the lineup, GLYPH joins as the import, a rising prospect finally receiving his opportunity at tier one after years spent competing in regional and academy scenes. His arrival introduces a distinct stylistic dimension in terms of playmaking and ideas, complementing the more established EMEA core. The combination of a Polish shotcaller, a North American import, and three Central European carries gives Gentle Mates a distinctly international identity, echoing the multilingual superteams that have shaped the top of EMEA in recent years and naturally elevating expectations for 2026.

A coaching staff built for stability

Behind the players, Gentle Mates have assembled a coaching duo intended to provide long-term stability after a chaotic year. Head coach Pavle "pakko" Kostić takes charge of the project, recognised for his work developing talent in regional leagues and guiding underdog rosters deep into qualification and Ascension brackets. His reputation rests on structure, thorough preparation, and clear in-game frameworks, all areas in which M8 previously struggled during their last VCT campaign.

Supporting him, Jiri "KUNDIKUNDI" Honkala joins as assistant coach, bringing additional experience with mixed-European lineups and the demands of the EMEA circuit. KUNDIKUNDI’s mandate will be to convert practice into day-to-day consistency, working closely with the players on map pool refinement, agent distribution and mid-season adaptation. Together, the duo provides Gentle Mates with both a strategic backbone and a development-oriented approach tailored to a roster that still has room to evolve.

With their 2026 roster and staff secured early, Gentle Mates finally possess what they lacked in 2025: time and continuity. The organisation is effectively wagering that this head start, combined with a driven core and a clearly defined coaching structure, will be sufficient to turn their VCT EMEA return into a genuine resurgence. When the league begins in Berlin, M8 will not merely be competing to justify their partner status; they will be aiming to demonstrate that this rebuilt project can credibly challenge the established giants of the region.

Gentle Mates roster for 2026:

For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub and Offseason Live Tracker.