A Fresh Start After a Year of Change

Just hours after confirming the departure of Zachary “zekken” Patrone, Sentinels have wasted no time unveiling their complete 2026 VALORANT lineup. The reveal came through a cheeky announcement video on X (formerly Twitter), featuring Amine “johnqt” Ouarid and a nod to the team’s now-famous “chair” meme before introducing the full roster.

To new beginnings pic.twitter.com/UIzPTXiJ34

— Sentinels (@Sentinels) November 1, 2025

The North American giants enter 2026 with a brand-new look and a blend of veteran leadership and young talent, signalling the start of a rebuilding phase that could define their next chapter.

The New Sentinels Lineup for 2026

Sentinels’ confirmed roster for the 2026 VALORANT season includes:

• Mohamed “johnqt” Amine Ouarid
• Marshall “N4RRATE” Massey
• Gabriel “cortezia” Cortez
• Mirel “Kyu” Braco Hrustemovic
• Yassine “Reduxx” Aboulalazm

Rounding out the staff are head coach Adam “kaplan” Kaplan, assistant coach Luke “GUNTER” Clives, and managers Bryan “Zyto” Ybanez and Kevin “Kez” Jeon.

This marks the first time in years that Sentinels’ VALORANT division has looked almost entirely different. With zekken and Zellsis gone, johnqt now stands as the sole remaining member of the VCT 2024 Masters Madrid championship squad, carrying the torch of one of North America’s most iconic rosters.

Johnqt Holds the Core Together

Amine “johnqt” Ouarid returns as Sentinels’ in-game leader, extending his run with the organisation into a third season. Widely respected for his composure and tactical mind, johnqt led Sentinels to their second Masters title in 2024, but 2025 was a rocky year, with their best finish being 5th–6th at Masters Toronto.

Heading into 2026, he remains the backbone of the team, providing the experience and structure that could steady Sentinels through another transition year.

N4RRATE Stays On for Another Season

Also sticking around is Marshall “N4RRATE” Massey, whose consistency on Initiator agents earned him another shot on the main roster. His reliable utility play and adaptability throughout 2025 proved valuable enough for Sentinels to continue building around him.

Cortezia Brings South American Firepower

Joining from MIBR, Gabriel “cortezia” Cortez arrives after an impressive breakout year in 2025. He helped MIBR reach both Masters Toronto and Champions Paris, where the team surprised many with a top-six finish. Known for his sharp defensive play and calm under pressure, cortezia continues Sentinels’ long-running connection with Brazilian talent, following the likes of Sacy and pANcada.

His addition also opens tactical possibilities for Sentinels, as his ability to anchor sites could allow johnqt to experiment with more flexible agent roles.

From Cubert to the Big Stage: Kyu and Reduxx

Rounding out the lineup are two promising academy graduates from Sentinels’ Cubert Academy, Mirel “Kyu” Braco Hrustemovic and Yassine “Reduxx” Aboulalazm.

Kyu, a late addition to the academy squad, made an immediate impact during VCL North America Stage 3, helping Cubert go undefeated in the Swiss Stage and secure a top-four finish. His sharp Initiator play could complement N4RRATE in a potential double-Initiator setup.

Reduxx, meanwhile, steps into zekken’s former role as the team’s duelist. Having turned 18 earlier this year, Reduxx already built a name for himself in the NA scene through Oxygen Esports and later with Sentinels’ academy. Known for his electric aim and flexible agent pool, his promotion marks a full-circle moment, he previously subbed for Sentinels in Red Bull Home Ground #5, hinting that the organisation had been grooming him for this opportunity all along.

A Long-Term Project in Motion

Sentinels’ CEO Rob Moore recently confirmed that the entire 2026 roster has been signed through to 2028, emphasising a long-term vision for the team. While the new lineup may lack the star power of previous eras, it represents a strategic investment in developing talent rather than relying on big-name signings.

With Kaplan still at the helm, Sentinels are clearly betting on structure, growth, and chemistry to bring them back to the top of the VCT. Fans may not see instant results, but the potential for a strong comeback is certainly there.

Looking Ahead

After years of high expectations and public scrutiny, this is a fresh beginning for Sentinels — a mix of seasoned leadership, international flair, and homegrown potential.

Whether this roster can replicate the organisation’s former glory or carve out a new legacy entirely remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Sentinels are officially back in rebuild mode, and all eyes will be on how far this new generation can go.

The post Sentinels Reveal Their 2026 VALORANT Roster: A New Era Begins appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Sentinels are gearing up for major roster experiments ahead of the 2026 VALORANT Champions Tour season. In a recent update, the organisation’s Co-owner and CEO, Rob Moore, confirmed that the team will be testing several players from its academy programme to see which line-up combinations have the most potential moving forward.

Sen City, over the next few weeks, you can expect to see a lot of speculation regarding our roster for next season. In 2024, we brought home a domestic title and an international title. In 2025, we qualified for every international event but didn’t bring home any trophies. We…

— Rob Moore (@robmooreEsports) October 8, 2025

Moore shared the update on X (formerly Twitter), noting that while star players Zachary ‘zekken’ Patrone and team captain Mohammed ‘johnqt’ Amine Quario are travelling this week, the Cubert Academy roster will get the chance to trial with the main Sentinels team. Head Coach Adam ‘kaplan’ Kaplan and his staff will be evaluating how each academy member performs in scrims and practice matches.

“While Zekken and Johnqt are travelling this week, we will be giving some of the Cubert Academy players the opportunity to trial with the main roster,” Moore explained. “Kaplan and the group are evaluating which roster combinations they believe have the most potential for 2026 and beyond. We’ll definitely be keeping TacticalRab and VCT Scrims busy as you’ll see a lot of variation. Try and hang in there, you’ll hear from us soon.”

Among those expected to get trial opportunities are:

• Yassin ‘reduxx’ Aboulalazm
• Marc-Andre ‘NiSMO’ Tayar
• Christian ‘nightz’ Smith
• Mirel ‘Kyu’ Braco Hrustemovic
• ‘satellite’

The announcement follows a mixed 2025 season for Sentinels. The team managed to qualify for every international VALORANT event, but ultimately fell short of any major championship wins.

Reflecting on 2024’s Highs and 2025’s Challenges

In 2024, Sentinels were at the top of their game, taking home both a domestic and an international title. They claimed victory at the VCT Americas Kickoff, defeating LOUD 3–2 in a dramatic Grand Final, and later secured the VALORANT Masters Madrid championship after another 3–2 win against Gen.G Esports. The team also placed a respectable fourth at VALORANT Champions 2024.

However, 2025 proved to be more of a grind. Despite strong performances, the squad couldn’t convert any of their runs into trophies. Sentinels placed second in the VCT Americas Kickoff, seventh at Masters Bangkok, and second again at Americas Stage 1 after falling to G2 Esports 1–3. They finished sixth at Masters Toronto, fifth at the Esports World Cup, and third in Americas Stage 2.

Their season ended on a disappointing note with an early exit from VALORANT Champions 2025, where they were eliminated in the Group Stage, finishing among the bottom eight teams.

Fans React and Look Ahead

Moore’s transparency about the team’s next steps has been met with appreciation from fans online, many praising the open communication during what’s likely a pivotal off-season. Some have even thrown in their own suggestions for roster moves, with one viral reply urging Sentinels to sign Brazilian superstar aspas.

While there’s no word yet on permanent roster changes, Moore’s comments make it clear that Sentinels are taking a methodical approach toward rebuilding for 2026, and fans can expect plenty of variation in scrims over the coming weeks.

The post Sentinels Begin Trials with Cubert Academy for VCT 2026 Roster appeared first on Shane the Gamer.