9z Team has become the first non-Brazilian Latin American squad ever to qualify for the playoffs of a Major tournament. The Argentine side punched through the group stage to secure a spot in the bracket, breaking a streak that had kept the rest of LATAM out of the championship rounds for years.
A Historic First for the Region
Brazil has long dominated the South American esports scene, especially at Majors. Teams like MIBR, FURIA, and paiN have carried the region's banner. No squad from outside Brazil had made it past the group stage. That changed with 9z. The team, based in Argentina, fought through a grueling qualification path and then through the group stage itself, earning a place in the playoffs. For LATAM fans outside Brazil, it’s a breakthrough moment they’ve waited years for.
The Road to the Playoffs
9z entered the Major as one of the underdogs from the region. They had to win matches against teams from other regions, some with deeper rosters and more international experience. The squad showed discipline in the group stage, taking maps off higher-seeded opponents. Their playstyle — aggressive but controlled — seemed to unsettle teams that expected a more predictable approach from a non-Brazilian LATAM side. Each win brought them closer to history. When the final group match ended, the players had done it: playoffs secured.
What Comes Next
The playoff bracket starts soon. 9z will face a team from one of the stronger regions — Europe or North America — in a best-of-three series. The pressure is on, but the team has already proven they can handle big moments. For them, every match from here is a bonus. For Latin America, it’s a chance to see if another squad can carry the region beyond Brazil’s shadow. The question now: can 9z go deeper, or will the run end in the quarterfinals?
