FIDE World Cup 2025: Players list and pairings announced

A record number of 24 Indians will take part

This edition will witness a record number of Indians taking part - 24. In the previous edition it was 10. Out of 206 players, 11.65% are Indians. FIDE World Cup 2025 will take place at Resort Rio – Goa in Goa, India, from 31st October to 26th November 2025.

President Dvorkovich’s wildcards

While wildcard invitations represent a small fraction of the overall field, they often spotlight the future stars of the game. Nevertheless, the wildcards—special invitations granted outside the standard qualification paths—make up only a small fraction of the 206-player field.

“FIDE always works hard to find ways to give talented players a chance to improve and make their mark. The decision to award invites to these five players is based on a mix of recent performance, high-level potential and their contribution to the sport,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said.

The wildcard list leans heavily toward youth, featuring promising talents such as GM’s Mishra, Woodward and Oro, and also a very young World Rapid Champion, GM Murzin. By spotlighting young and emerging players, FIDE is clearly using the wildcard system as a developmental tool—investing in future stars and encouraging their continued growth on the world stage.

“The World Cup is one of the most difficult and most exciting chess events, given its knockout format, and will be a great opportunity for these players to show their best facing the best,” Dvorkovich added.

Let’s take a quick look at the six wildcard invitees—each a rising talent or notable figure who adds depth and intrigue to the 2025 FIDE World Cup line-up.

Kirill Alekseenko (Austria)

Abhimanyu Mishra (USA)

Volodar Murzin

Faustino Oro (ARG)

Andy Woodward (USA)

The All India Chess Federation nominees

According to regulations, the host nation, India, has exercised its right to nominate two additional players, GM’s Pranav Venkatesh and Raunak Sadhwani, both of them currently rated 2641.

They will join a formidable Indian contingent that includes several of the world’s top-ranked players and rising stars, making India one of the strongest and most well-represented nations in the tournament. Let’s take a closer look at both of them.

Pranav Venkatesh

Raunak Sadhwani

Additional wildcard awarded to GM Divya Deshmukh ensures female representation

Due to a last-minute cancellation of one of the participants, with Wenjun Ju and Yifan Hou having earlier declined the invitation—FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich assigned an additional wildcard spot to GM Divya Deshmukh.

Indian players in the fray

GM D Gukesh, GM Arjun Erigaisi, GM R Praggnanandhaa, GM Vidit Santhosh Gujrathi, GM Aravindh Chithambaram, GM Nihal Sarin, GM Pentala Harikrishna, GM Karthikeyan Murali, GM Pranav Venkatesh, GM Raunak Sadhwani, GM Pranesh M, GM Leon Luke Mendonca, GM S L Narayanan, GM Iniyan Pa, GM Karthik Venkataraman, GM Diptayan Ghosh, GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly, GM Raja Rithvik R, IM Aronyak Ghosh, GM Lalit Babu M R, GM Divya Deshmukh, IM Himal Gusain, IM Harshavardhan G B and IM Neelash Saha.

Gukesh, Harikrishna, Aravindh, Praggnanandhaa, Vidit, Nihal, Karthikeyan and Arjun will get a Bye in Round 1. The remaining 16 Indians will have to play their respective Round 1 matches.

Round 1 Open pairings

Round 2: GM D Gukesh (2752) - GM Raja Rithvik R (2541) or GM Kazybek Nogerbek (KAZ, 2543)

The reigning World Champion, GM D Gukesh (2752) got a Bye in the first round. His second round opponent will be either GM Raja Rithvik R or GM Kazybek Nogerbek (KAZ). Winning that will set up a clash against either GM Ediz Gurel (TUR, 2634) or GM Frederik Svane (GER, 2638). In the fourth round, he could face GM Shant Sargsyan (ARM, 2667), GM Mustafa Yilmaz (TUR, 2591), IM Harshavardhan G B (2476) or GM Xiangzhi Bu (CHN, 2672).

GM Raja Rithvik R (2541) - GM Kazybek Nogerbek (KAZ, 2543)

Winning against Kazybek will put Raja Rithvik against the World Champion in Round 2.

GM Mustafa Yilmaz (TUR, 2591) - IM Harshavardhan G B (2476)

As seen in the brackets above, Harshavardhan winning his Round 1 and 2 matches could potentially make him face the winner of the match between the World Champion, D Gukesh and Raja Rithvik R.

GM S L Narayanan (2617) - IM Steven Rojas Salas (PER, 2413)

GM S L Narayanan winning his Round 1 match will earn him a battle against GM Nikita Vitiugov (ENG) in Round 2. Winning that match means, he may face GM Yangyi Yu (CHN), GM Felix Blohberger (AUT) or GM Constantin Lupulescu (ROU).

Round 2: GM Pentala Harikrishna (2697) - GM Arseniy Nesterov (2584) or GM Saparmyrat Atabayev (TKM, 2494)

Harikrishna got a Bye in Round 1. In Round 2, he will face the winner of the match between GM Arseniy Nesterov (2584) and GM Saparmyrat Atabayev (TKM, 2494). Winning that match means, he may face GM Grigoriy Oparin (USA, 2661), IM Banh Gia Huy (VIE, 2440) or GM Daniel Dardha (BEL, 2605). In the fourth round, Harikrishna's opponent could very well be, GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE, 2742), GM Etienne Bacrot (FRA, 2627), GM Nils Grandelius (SWE, 2645), GM Jorden van Foreest (NED, 2697) or GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB, 2750).

Ala Eddine Boulrens (ALG, 2214) - GM Pranav Venkatesh (2641)

The reigning World Junior champion, Pranav's second round opponent is highly likely to be GM Aryan Tari (NOR, 2631). Winning that match could see a potential match-up against the inaugural World Fischer Random champion, GM Wesley So (USA, 2756). His Round 3 opponent could be the reigning National double champion, GM Iniyan Pa (2599) or GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB, 2689). Winning that could mean his fourth round opponent may be GM Lalit Rohit (2502), GM Diptayan Ghosh (2573) or GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2732).

GM Dylan Isidro Berdayes Ason (CUB, 2453) - GM Iniyan Pa (2599)

Iniyan winning the first match will earn him a Round 2 match against GM Thai Dai Van Nguyen (CZE, 2664). His third round opponent could very well be GM Niclas Huschenbeth (GER, 2587), GM Bilel Bellahcene (ALG, 2485) or GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB). Winning that match means, his fourth round opponent might be either GM Wesley So (USA) or GM Pranav Venkatesh as mentioned earlier.

GM Lalit Rohit (2502) - GM Max Warmerdam (NED, 2582)

Lalit winning his round 1 match against Max means GM Awonder Liang (USA, 2710) will be his Round 2 opponent. Lalit's third round opponent could be GM Rasums Svane (GER, 2614) or GM Rauf Mamedov (AZE, 2655). His fourth round clash could be against GM Diptayan Ghosh or GM Ian Nepomniachtchi.

GM Diptayan Ghosh (2573) - GM Xiongjian Peng (CHN, 2521)

If Dipatayan wins, his second round opponent will be GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2732). If Diptayan manages to pull off one of the biggest upset in Round 2, he will face either GM Maxim Rodshtein (ISR, 2647) or GM Gabriel Sargissian (ARM, 2624) in Round 3. His fourth round opponent could be GM Awonder Liang (USA), GM Lalit Rohit, GM Max Warmerdam (NED), GM Rasmus Svane (GER) or GM Rauf Mamedov (AZE) as mentioned earlier.

GM Karthik Venkataraman (2579) - GM Roberto Garcia Pantoja (COL, 2502)

GM Karthik Venkataraman (2579) beating GM Roberto Garcia Pantoja (COL, 2502) will earn him a match against India's first and only National Triple Crown champion, GM Aravindh Chithambaram (2711). Karthik's third round opponent could be, GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac (ROU, 2655) or GM Aydin Suleymanli (AZE, 2614). His fourth round opponent could be anyone between - GM Liem Quang Le (VIE, 2729), GM Baadur Jobava (GEO, 2573), GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP, 2621) or GM Jeffery Xiong (USA, 2648).

Round 2: GM Karthik Venkataraman (2579) or GM Roberto Garcia Pantoja (COL, 2502) - GM Aravindh Chithambaram (2711)

Aravindh got a Bye in Round 1. He will face the winner of the match between GM Karthik Venkataraman and GM Roberto Garcia Pantoja (COL). His future opponents could very well be the same as Karthik as mentioned above, if he beats him.

Round 2: GM R Praggnanandhaa (2771) - GM Temur Kuybokarov (AUS, 2535) or GM Jan Subelj (POL, 2545)

Praggnanandhaa got a Bye in Round 1. He will be up against either GM Temur Kuybokarov (AUS) or GM Jan Subelj (POL) in Round 2. In the third round, he is likely to face either GM Robert Hovhannisyan (ARM, 2633) or GM Raunak Sadhwani (2641). Winning that match could mean his fourth round opponent could be, the reigning World Rapid champion, GM Volodar Murzin (2664), IM Neelash Saha (2466), GM Georg Meier (URU, 2596) or former World Rapid champion, GM Daniil Dubov (2684).

FM Daniel Barrish (RSA, 2284) - GM Raunak Sadhwani (2641)

Raunak winning the first round battle will set up a clash against GM Robert Hvhannisyan (ARM) in Round 2. Winning that means, he is highly likely to face GM R Praggnanandhaa in Round 3. If he wins that, his fourth round opponent could be GM Volodar Murzin, IM Neelash Saha, GM Georg Meier (URU) or GM Daniil Dubov, as mentioned above.

IM Neelash Saha (2466) - GM Georg Meier (URU, 2596)

IM Neelash Saha will face the Uruguay no.1, GM Georg Meier in the very first round. If Neelash overcomes the tough challenge, GM Volodar Murzin will be waiting for him in Round 2. Winning that match means he will be up against GM Jinshi Bai (CHN, 2590), GM Adham Fawzy (EGY, 2476) or another World Rapid champion, GM Daniil Dubov (2684). Neelash winning that could potentially set up a match against Praggnanandhaa in Round 4. 

Round 2: GM Vidit Gujrathi (2716) - IM Faustino Oro (ARG, 2509) or GM Ante Brkic (CRO, 2578)

GM Vidit Gujrathi (2716) got a Bye in Round 1. His second round could very well be IM Faustino Oro (ARG) or GM Ante Brkic (CRO, 2578). Winning that means, his third round opponent could potentially be either, GM Vasyl Ivanchuk (UKR, 2616) or GM Sam Shankland (USA, 2654). The fourth round opponent might be - GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (TUR, 2651), GM Leon Luke Mendonca (2620) or GM Richard Rapport (HUN, 2724).

IM Wang Shixu B (CHN, 2402) - GM Leon Luke Mendonca (2620)

Leon is likely to face GM Yagis Kaan Erdogmus (TUR) in Round 2. Winning that match means he is likely to face GM Luis Paulo Supi (BRA, 2575) or GM Richard Rapport (HUN) in Round 3. His fourth round opponent could be, GM Vidit Gujrathi, GM Vasyl Ivanchuk (UKR) or GM Sam Shankland (USA).

GM Ahmad Ahmadzada (AZE, 2523) - GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly (2573)

World Blitz 2021 champion, GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA, 2737) is waiting for GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly in Round 2. Surya's third round opponent could be either, GM Haik Martirosyan (ARM, 2626) or GM Vladislav Artemiev (2646). The third round opponent could be, GM David Navara (CZE, 2656), GM Daniel Quizon (PHI, 2420), GM Aleksey Grebnev (2611), the reigning Women's World Cup winner, GM Divya Deshmukh (2498) or GM Nihal Sarin (2700).

GM Stamatis Kourkoulos-Arditis (GRE, 2583) - GM Divya Deshmukh (2498)

GM Divya Deshmukh will face the same opponent she defeated in the final round of 7th Prague International Chess Festival 2025 Challengers. Overcoming him means she will face GM Nihal Sarin in the second round. Winning that means, Divya could face GM David Navara (CZE), GM Daniel Quizon (PHI) or GM Aleksey Grebnev. If she manages to win that, then she will face either GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA), GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly, GM Haik Martirosyan (ARM) or GM Vladislav Artemiev.

Round 2: GM Stamatis Kourkoulos-Arditis (GRE, 2583) or GM Divya Deshmukh (2498) - GM Nihal Sarin (2700)

GM Nihal Sarin got a Bye in Round 1. His second round opponent will be the winner of the match between GM Stamatis Kourkoulos-Arditis (GRE) or GM Divya Deshmukh. Winning that match will pair him against GM David Navara (CZE), GM Daniel Quizon or GM Aleksey Grebnev. Nihal's fourth round opponent could be, GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA), GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly, GM Haik Martirosyan (ARM) or GM Vladislav Artemiev.

Round 2: GM Pouya Idani (IRI, 2601 ) or GM Kevin Joel Cori Quispe (MEX, 2451) - GM Karthikeyan Murali (2662)

GM Karthikeyan Murali (2662) got a Bye in Round 1. His Round 2 opponent will be the winner of the match between GM Pouya Idani (IRI) and GM Kevin Joel Cori Quispe (MEX). Winning that match could pit Karthikeyan against either GM Andrey Esipenko (2693) or GM Nijat Abasov (AZE, 2587). His third round opponent could be, GM Dmitrij Kollars (GER, 2642), GM Pranesh M (2630) or GM Vincent Keymer (GER, 2755).

IM Satbek Akhmetdinov (KAZ, 2372) - GM Pranesh M (2630)

GM Pranesh M (2630) is likely to face GM Dmitrij Kollars (GER, 2642) in Round 2. Winning that match will set up a potential clash against GM Vincent Keymer (GER) in Round 3. If Pranesh manages to score a huge win against Keymer, he could face GM Andrey Esipenko, GM Nijat Abasov (AZE), GM Pouya Idani (IRI) or GM Karthikeyan Murali in Round 4.

IM Aronyak Ghosh (2514) - GM Mateusz Bartel (POL, 2575)

IM Aronyak Ghosh (2514) could face the two-time World Cup winner, GM Levon Aronian (USA, 2722) in Round 2 if he manages to beat GM Mateusz Bartel (POL, 2575). If Aronyak scores quite possibly the biggest upset of the event in Round 2, his third round opponent could be, GM Salem Saleh (UAE, 2620) or GM Abhimanyu Mishra (USA, 2652). Winning that means his fourth round opponent could be, GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek (POL, 2654), GM Maxime Lagarde (FRA, 2617), GM Alexandr Fier (BRA, 2577) or GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO, 2720).

IM Himal Gusain (2476) - GM Andy Woodward (USA, 2590)

IM Himal Gusain (2476) will face GM Andy Woodward (USA, 2590) in Round 1. Another wildcard, GM Kirill Alekseenko (AUT, 2679) is awaiting him in Round 2. Overcoming that, will earn him a match against GM Bobby Cheng (AUS, 2596), GM Siddharth Jagadeesh (SGP, 2467) or the legend, GM Peter Leko (HUN, 2666). If he manages to win his third round match, his fourth round opponent could be, GM Arjun Erigaisi (2773).

Round 2: GM Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian (BRA, 2545) or GM Martin Petrov (BUL, 2540) - GM Arjun Erigaisi (2773)

GM Arjun Erigaisi has a Bye in Round 1. He should be able to beat GM Krikor Sevag Mekhitarin (BRA) or GM Martin Petrov (BUL) in Round 2. His third round opponent could be, GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB, 2640) or GM Maksim Chigaev (ESP, 2634). His fourth round opponent could be, GM Kirill Alekseenko (AUT), IM Himal Gusain or GM Andy Woodward (USA).

Source: Wild Card

Links

Schedule

Players list

Official site

Pairing brackets

Tournament Regulations

Related news:

	गोवा में होगा फीडे विश्व कप 2025 ! @ 27/08/2025 by Niklesh Jain (hi)
	FIDE World Cup 2025 heads to Goa @ 27/08/2025 by ChessBase India (en)
	FIDE World Cup 2025 to take place in India @ 21/07/2025 by ChessBase India (en)
	FIDE World Cup 2025 qualification quotas updated @ 10/09/2024 by ChessBase India (en)