FIDE World Cup 2025: Round One Pairings Announced
The first-round pairings for the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Goa, India are officially out. Even though most top seeds are seeded directly into Round 2, Round 1 is packed with exciting matchups. A total of 156 players will battle in knockout duels to stay in the event.
This year’s World Cup features 206 players and serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Only the top three finishers in Goa will earn a direct ticket to that prestigious event. Every game counts, and the pressure starts from Day One.
A full tournament preview will be released closer to November 1st, the official start date. But one thing is already clear — the tournament lineup is thrilling. A mix of wildcards, host nominations, and late replacements has added fresh talent and unpredictability to the field.
Wildcards by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich
FIDE has awarded a limited number of wildcard spots to rising stars and promising talents. These players did not qualify through regular events but were selected for their potential and recent achievements.
Dvorkovich explained that wildcards help young players gain elite experience, and this year’s selections strongly reflect that mission.
Let’s meet the six official wildcard invitees:
Kirill Alekseenko (Austria)
A seasoned Grandmaster born in 1997, Alekseenko is known for his deep experience. He reached 2700+ rating after finishing third in the 2019 FIDE Grand Swiss, which earned him entry to the 2020 Candidates Tournament. He missed the 2025 Grand Swiss due to external circumstances, so FIDE granted him a fair wildcard entry into Goa.
Aleksey Grebnev (FIDE)
Born in 2006, Grebnev secured his wildcard by defeating GM Marc’Andria Maurizzi in a recent classical match. He is a former World U18 Champion (2023) and Asian Junior Champion (2024). With a current rating of 2611, he is one of the fastest-rising juniors in the world.
Abhimanyu Mishra (USA)
Born in 2009, Mishra became the youngest Grandmaster ever at just 12 years old. In 2024, he defeated World Champion Gukesh at the FIDE Grand Swiss, becoming the youngest player to beat a reigning World Champion in classical chess. With a 2650+ rating, he is already competing with the world’s best.
Volodar Murzin (FIDE)
Born in 2006, Murzin is the 2024 World Rapid Champion, where he defeated elite stars like Caruana, Nakamura, and Duda. Now rated 2664, he is closing in on the global top 50 and will be a serious threat in Goa.
Faustino Oro (Argentina)
Nicknamed the “Messi of Chess,” Oro was born in 2013 and has already broken multiple youth records. He became the youngest International Master ever (2024) and earned his first GM norm at age 11. Now rated 2509, he trains daily and is one of the youngest competitors in World Cup history.
Andy Woodward (USA)
Born in 2010, Woodward is one of the youngest American Grandmasters. He recently won the 2024 U.S. Junior Championship without losing a single game and also claimed the 2025 Puzzle World Championship. His sharp style makes him a dangerous opponent.
India’s Host Nominations
As host nation, India has nominated two additional players:
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GM Pranav Venkatesh (Rating 2641) — Winner of the 2025 World Junior U-20 Championship, trained under Viswanathan Anand’s academy.
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GM Raunak Sadhwani (Rating 2681) — One of India’s youngest Grandmasters and winner of the 2024 London Chess Masters.
India now has one of the strongest squads in the tournament.
Special Wildcard for GM Divya Deshmukh
Due to a late withdrawal, GM Divya Deshmukh has been added as an additional wildcard to ensure female representation. She is the reigning Women’s World Cup Champion and will be the only woman competing in the open section — making her journey especially inspiring.
Tournament Details
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Dates: October 30 to November 27, 2025
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Location: Goa, India
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Format: Knockout
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Total Players: 206
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Prize Fund: $2,000,000
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Candidate Spots Available: 3
Every match is win-or-go-home, and with so many young prodigies and experienced giants, this World Cup promises drama, upsets, and unforgettable games.
Official Links:
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Tournament Bracket: worldcup2025.fide.com/tournament-bracket/
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Player List: worldcup2025.fide.com/participants/
Photos: FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
