NAVI Reloaded: 2026 VCT lineup revealed

NAVI has officially unveiled their refreshed VALORANT lineup for the 2026 VCT season, marking a significant rebuild after a rocky 2025. The new roster retains a core trio but welcomes two fresh faces, while also installing a familiar face as head coach.

NAVI VCT 2025 Roster Confirmed

Their new lineup marks a clean start for NAVI, blending retained experience with promising new talent, under the guidance of a coaching lineup anchored by one of the game’s most recognizable veterans and experienced ex-player of the org.

Navi’s 2026 Valorant roster in full:

• Andrey “Shao” Kiprskii

• Emirhan “hiro” Kat

• Uğur “Ruxic” Güç

• Volkan “sociablEE” Yönal (new)

• Dawid “Filu” Czarnecki (new)

The team staff includes:

• Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov: head coach (recently retired from playing)

• Dmytro “chippy” Bychenko: assistant coach

• Alaa “Flyn” Nesrallah: team analyst

Looking Back: Natus Vincere’s 2025 Season and What Led to Change

The 2025 campaign was rough for NAVI. After opening the year with a 9–12th place finish at the EMEA Kickoff, the team spent much of the season struggling to find consistency. They ended Stage 1 around mid-table, and although they improved to a fourth-place finish in Stage 2, that was still not enough to secure a spot at Champions 2025.

Earlier in 2025, NAVI had even replaced a roster member: before Stage 2 they parted ways with GianFranco “koalanoob” Potestio and brought in Alex “alexiiik” Hawlasek, a promising young talent from the Challengers/Early-tier scene. That move hinted that NAVI was already searching for stability and upside.

But by end of 2025 it was clear: the organization wanted more than incremental improvements. They needed a reset.

For a job this big, we’ll have to get the best we know.

Your NAVI Valorant VCT 2026 Roster has arrived. pic.twitter.com/LV3FFQC6UD

— NAVI Valorant (@NAVIValorant) December 3, 2025

New Additions: sociablEE & Filu Bring Fresh Firepower

For 2026, NAVI brought in two new players to complement the existing core and reshape the roster’s identity.

SociablEE arrives from a solid 2025 campaign with BBL Esports. A veteran of the Turkish and EMEA lower tiers, he finally got his opportunity on a partnered roster last year. Known for flexible agent, especially Initiators and Chamber, sociablEE impressed with steady, adaptable play that made him a natural fit for NAVI’s rebuild.

Filu joins after NAVI folded the slot of KOI. Despite KOI’s difficulties in 2025, Filu stood out for his individual skill, especially for high impact plays. NAVI clearly values his instinctive style and aim. These additions suggest that NAVI is aiming for a hybrid style in 2026: a stable core led by experienced players, energized by new aggressive players who can surprise and carry rounds if needed.

Leadership Shake-Up: ANGE1 Steps In as Head Coach

One of the biggest changes isn’t on the player side, but on coaching. Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov, longtime VALORANT pro and former NAVI IGL, is returning, this time as head coach after retiring as a player at the end of 2025.

Supporting him are assistant coach Chippy and analyst Flyn, forming a new tactical backbone for the team. As ANGE1 explained in NAVI’s own announcement, the plan is to build a system from scratch, focused on developing young talent and establishing a foundation for competitive consistency. It’s a bold gamble, betting on experience turned mentorship rather than reactive player churn. But for a team that’s struggled with consistency, this sort of structural reset might be exactly what’s needed.

What’s Ahead: Hope, Stakes, and Expectations for 2026

NAVI’s clean slate has already been activated: their new roster debuted in the online tournament Project Blender 2025: Phase 3, where they had their first flashes of synergy under the new structure. On paper, this NAVI roster carries more potential than any they’ve fielded in recent seasons: a stable foundation, renewed ambition, and a fresh identity. For a region as competitive as EMEA, that might be exactly what’s needed to climb back into the upper echelon.

NAVI, with eyes on a clean 2026 appear more dangerous than ever.