Carlsen Withdraws from World Cup 2025, Citing Deep Rift with FIDE

Post by : Mina Rahman

The Chess World Cup 2025 is taking place in Goa and much attention is on India's rising talent D Gukesh. Yet the tournament has been overshadowed by the notable absence of World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, prompting discussion among players and observers.

Carlsen has confirmed he will not participate in the current World Cup and has ruled out pursuing the World Championship match next year.

Reasons for Carlsen's absence

Carlsen has repeatedly criticised FIDE's management of classical formats, which underpin both the World Cup and the world title cycle. His objections predate this edition, and he has publicly supported alternative competitive approaches that depart from FIDE's model.

In 2023 he declined to defend his world title, a decision that opened the way for Ding Liren to become champion; Ding was then defeated by D Gukesh in 2024.

Coach issues a rebuke

Peter Heine Nielsen, Carlsen's coach, took to X to lambast FIDE and the World Cup, arguing that the absence of the top-ranked players—who increasingly favour regular online events—would be unacceptable in other sports.

Other top names also absent

Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana have likewise skipped the World Cup, citing low prize money and heavy logistical expenses as key factors in their decisions.

Carlsen has further said his relationship with FIDE was "pretty destroyed" after a contentious episode at the 2024 World Rapid and Blitz Championships, often referred to in media coverage as the "jeans" incident.

His public stance

Speaking to Norwegian media earlier in the year, Carlsen described his ties with the current FIDE administration as damaged and reiterated that participation in the World Rapid and Blitz events was "completely out of the question" under present circumstances.