FUT Esports release cNed ahead of the VCT 2026 season

FUT Esports has officially announced that they have parted ways with former world champion duelist Mehmet Yağız "cNed" İpek ahead of the VCT 2026 season.

cNed first joined FUT Esports following his time with Natus Vincere after the VCT 2023 season, where he was able to help the team qualify for VCT 2024 - Masters Shanghai and VCT 2024 - Champions 2024.

He had been placed on FUT Esports' inactive roster ahead of the VCT 2025 season, but came back in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 2 in one last bid to qualify for VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions. However, the final push was not enough as FUT missed out on the playoffs, ultimately putting an end to their VCT 2025 campaign.

FUT Esports will be looking to make roster changes ahead of the coming season with hopes of making it back to the international stage. The Turkish organization had been a mainstay at the top of EMEA in 2023 and 2024, qualifying to VALORANT Champions on both years. However, 2025 proved to be a step back for the organization, which was unable to qualify for any international tournaments this past year.

What's next for FUT Esports and cNed?

FUT, for one, will be looking to find a suitable duelist to replace cNed in the lineup going into the VCT 2026 season. It will be interesting to see exactly who they end up choosing to replace a player that has held such an important place on the team.

As for cNed, this marks the end of his two-year stint back in Turkey. Previously, he had played for Acend, winning VCT 2021 - VALORANT Champions 2021 with them, and Natus Vincere in the 2023 season. Now, he will be looking to have a comeback year in 2026 on a brand new team following his tenure with FUT Esports.

Be sure to follow THESPIKE.GG for more VALORANT offseason updates like this one. With the VCT 2026 season on its way, it will be interesting to see how the fourth year of franchising pans out.

Cover Photo: Michal Konkol of Riot Games