FIDE World Cup

History

The World Cup is chess’s biggest knockout: over 200 players, drawn from continental championships and rating, play short matches over about three and a half weeks until one is left. Its top finishers qualify for the Candidates, which makes every late round a high-stakes affair.

Its knockout format makes upsets common, and the event has launched several careers: Javokhir Sindarov won in 2025 as the 16th seed. From 2027 FIDE is changing the format to Swiss qualifying pools followed by a 16-player knockout, with the field growing to 224.

How it works

Who plays. 206 players in 2025, qualifying mainly through continental and zonal events and national federation places, plus the top-rated players and a few titles such as the reigning world champion’s. The top 50 seeds skip the first round.

The format. A straight knockout. Each round is a two-game classical match; if it ends level, the players go to rapid games, then blitz, then a single sudden-death game. From 2027, FIDE switches to Swiss qualifying pools followed by a 16-player knockout.

What is at stake. The top three qualify for the Candidates. The 2025 prize fund was $2 million, with $120,000 for the winner.

Part of the World Championship cycle: World Cup → Grand Swiss → Candidates → World Championship. Last checked 3 October 2026 against the 2025 edition.