It’s notable that Cloud9, while not ranking as the lowest performer in VALORANT esports, appears to receive a disproportionate amount of criticism. Ranked 14th among 48 teams in the 2026 power rankings, Cloud9 frequently becomes a subject of debate because it consistently fails to secure a spot in global competitions.
Consequently, podcaster Andre Hopkins engaged Head Coach **Ian “Immi” Harding** in an interview regarding the squad’s deficiencies. However, Harding did not appear overly concerned.
Presently, Cloud9 stands as the sole American team that has never secured a qualification for a global tournament. This situation has caused its supporters to experience “distress and shame,” prompting questions about potential improvements for the team.
Nevertheless, Immi conveyed that he doesn’t perceive significant pressure to qualify. He remarked: “I only truly sense pressure if it’s anticipated. And I believe we haven’t reached a point where international qualification is an expectation for us.”
Really?
He continued, stating: “We are working towards it, but we haven’t become that team just yet.”
Immi recognized that Cloud9 is the sole squad from the Americas region never to have advanced, though he noted they have come remarkably near. He further mentioned that a recent power ranking he compiled with **Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro** suggested an environment where “any team could defeat another.”
Immi remarked: “The competition in the Americas is extremely tight at present. Our approach needs to be one match at a time. We must continue refining our efforts, striving for betterment, and observe the outcome.”
Cloud9 Might Never Reach a Global Stage
Immi appears to believe that success is imminent. He perceives the teams as closely matched. From his perspective, Cloud9 doesn’t seem to be significantly lagging, especially given the narrow margins in games and standings.
However, the fan base holds a contrasting opinion. Numerous supporters have voiced annoyance with the current roster, questioning whether Cloud9 lacks the financial resources to recruit more experienced players with promise. A fan commented: “It would also be beneficial if they had funds to acquire genuine players rather than just re-using existing talent.”
A different fan highlighted the existence of outstanding talent, even within Tier 2 and Tier 3 organizations. Their response was: “Immi is either incapable of discovering these players, or he simply prefers to work with his acquaintances.”
A considerable number of Cloud9 supporters appear to attribute the issues to Immi and are doubting his coaching credentials. He began his career as a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive competitor, which included a stint as an In-Game Leader (IGL). Immi informed Hopkins that observing from the periphery can often be difficult, but he has discovered his primary aptitude lies in assisting players before each match, both with tactical approaches and personal concerns.
He did concede, however, that the squad struggles with ineffective communication. To address this, he has implemented several measures, such as encouraging players to experiment with various roles and team setups during training sessions to promote dialogue and foster fresh viewpoints. It remains to be seen if these efforts will be successful.
My perspective is that Immi is not the root cause. I believe the issue stems from financial limitations. Many esports organizations, Cloud9 included, are facing economic challenges. As a result of budgetary restrictions, C9 has opted for cost-effective talent choices for its VALORANT roster. This strategy has resulted in frequent personnel changes, continuous roster adjustments, and subpar team structures. Even with promising young talents such as **Francis “OXY” Hoang**, C9 struggles because they are unable to construct a robust supporting team around him. The incessant modifications disrupt team cohesion, training, and stability. It’s simply difficult to foster strong teamwork when different players are constantly rotated.
Does Cloud9 have a path forward? I believe there’s perpetually a chance. The North American teams are quite competitive, making it conceivable. However, given the current trajectory, I also wouldn’t be astonished if Cloud9 never reached a global competition. Immi’s level of concern, in my opinion, appeared insufficient.
This article, discussing Cloud9 Coach Immi’s lack of worry despite his team being the sole North American VCT squad never to qualify for international events, was originally published on Esports Insider.
