Rumor: Envy is close to acquiring 3DMAX's players, but will not assume any of its debt.

According to sources, Envy is set to take over 3DMAX's roster, marking its return to Counter-Strike with an all-French five-man lineup.

The North American organization, founded around Call of Duty esports, entered CSGO in 2015. It has previously been home to many French CS legends, and much of its history in Valve’s FPS has been built around the French scene. According to sources close to Sheep Esports, that identity could return nearly five years after its last roster, with the 3DMAX lineup reportedly set to join the organization under the historic banner that has previously won a Major. The rumor had already been reported by French outlet lasourcegg.

After months of issues inside the French organization over unpaid salaries, bonuses, and sticker revenue shares—extensively reported by Sheep Esports—the French players from the roster are now heading to a new club. 3DMAX does not have a new home.

Currently ranked 28th in Valve’s ranking system, this French five-man roster is in serious trouble. It has fallen out of the global top 30 in the latest official rankings, despite 3DMAX appearing to have improved in recent weeks. On CS esports site HLTV, the lineup still appears to be in contention for a place at the PGL Major Singapore 2026, which will be held at the end of November.

This year, 3DMAX narrowly missed out on qualifying for the IEM Cologne Major 2026 held last July, after the club had qualified for the event three times in a row. In those appearances, the French organization finished 12th–14th on all three occasions, falling short before the playoffs. The situation has therefore only worsened in 2026, seemingly due to internal issues at the club, with debt problems having begun even before the season.Although other options had proposed buying out the same roster earlier this year while taking on part of the club’s substantial debt, including Team Heretics, Envy (formerly Team EnvyUs) now appears set to become the organization taking over the five players. According to information gathered by Sheep Esports journalists, the North American organization reportedly would not assume the debt, or any portion of it, and would instead only acquire the players—and, of course, their VRS points.

Envy was active from 2015 to 2021 and is therefore expected to return to the scene after nearly five years away from competition. After CSGO, the club is now set to return in CS2 with five French players, just as it did at its inception. It is also worth noting that, in addition to captain Maka and his four teammates, 3DMAX currently has two players on the bench: Ex3rcice and bodyy, the latter of whom is currently on loan at OG Esports.