After a 2025 season marked by contrasting phases, strong stretches in VALORANT VCT EMEA, but difficulty converting those performances into trophies, Natus Vincere approach VCT 2026 with a new project. The Ukrainian organisation, a regular fixture in playoffs across both regional stages yet still searching for deeper runs on the international stage, has chosen to lean on its existing core while adding fresh pieces around it, rather than starting from a blank slate.

NAVI have confirmed a five-man lineup of Andrey "Shao" Kiprskiy, Emirhan "hiro" Kat, and Uğur "Ruxic" Güç, all retained from 2025, joined by Volkan "sociablEE" Yönal and Dawid "Filu" Czarnecki. This new roster, unveiled in early December 2025, reflects a deliberate choice: preserve the trio that formed the heart of the team and surround it with two reinforcements drawn from other VCT organisations.

The five have already made their first official appearance together at Project Blender, where they played through multiple series before falling in the later stages to GIANTX, offering an initial glimpse of the identity NAVI intend to build for 2026.

Locking in the project for 2026

At the center of this project, Shao remains the anchor of the lineup. A member of the organisation since 2022, he is the longest-tenured player on the roster and is expected to continue assuming a major leadership role in the server. His versatility, already recognised across the EMEA scene, and his ability to structure rounds are set to provide the strategic backbone of a 2026 NAVI side increasingly focused on fundamentals and opponent read.

Around him, the hiro/Ruxic duo represents continuity. Both extend their stay after a season in which they established themselves as essential components of the system, each demonstrating clutch potential that proved valuable for NAVI during the playoff phase of VCT EMEA Stage 2 in 2025. One operates primarily on Sentinel/Flex roles, the other leans more towards Controllers. Their continued presence allows NAVI to preserve already-tested habits while offering a clear framework for the new arrivals. The idea is to rely on this VCT-hardened trio to smooth the adjustments required to integrate sociablEE and Filu.

A blend of experience, and new talent

The arrivals of sociablEE and Filu illustrate NAVI’s intention to refresh the lineup without discarding EMEA experience. The Turkish player sociablEE joins after several years at the top of the Turkish Challengers ecosystem and a notable VCT season with BBL Esports, culminating in a top-three finish at VCT EMEA Stage 2, where he established himself as a particularly flexible and impactful profile.

The Polish player Filu arrives from Movistar KOI, a partner slot now released, but one that allowed him to compete at tier one. At Project Blender, both demonstrated an ability to integrate quickly into a high-level environment. In parallel, the organisation has stabilised its coaching structure. Kyrylo "ANGE1" Karasov has been appointed head coach, succeeding Vincent "Happy" Schopenhauer, after having announced on X that he was ending his playing career to focus fully on coaching.

Dmytro "chippy" Bychenko takes on the role of assistant coach, while Alaa "Flynn" Nasrallah serves as analyst. These changes, announced alongside the roster, are intended to provide clear technical direction for a group that combines established players with recent additions. With a Shao/hiro/Ruxic core retained, two targeted signings and a staff reshaped around ANGE1, NAVI enter VCT EMEA 2026 with a straightforward objective: turn this controlled reshuffle into tangible progress and establish themselves more durably in the race for top regional finishes and international qualification.

NAVI Roster for 2026