Even before their final group stage match at VCT 2026: EMEA Stage 1, NAVI lost their chance to qualify for the playoffs.
This happened because Team Heretics defeated FUT Esports and secured the final playoff spot. Natus Vincere could only have advanced if Heretics had lost and NAVI themselves had beaten Karmine Corp. In that scenario, with identical win-loss records, NAVI would have ranked higher thanks to their head-to-head results.
It is worth noting that Natus Vincere have played the entire tournament with a substitute. ExiT has been dealing with visa issues, so he was initially replaced by Kolosha and later by ComeBack.
As a reminder, Team Starlace has joined the list of participants in Female Pro League Season 2: Emerald Diva.
