Ian Nepomniachtchi (FIDE, 2758) – previous World Championship match runner-up.
Praggnanandhaa R (India, 2747) – 2023 World Cup runner-up.
Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2804) – third-place finisher at the 2023 World Cup.
Nijat Abasov (Azerbaijan, 2632) – fourth-place finisher at the 2023 World Cup after the winner, Magnus Carlsen, declined his right to participate.
Vidit Gujrathi (India, 2747) – 2023 Grand Swiss winner.
Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2789) – 2023 Grand Swiss runner-up.
Alireza Firouzja (France, 2760) – the best by rating on January 1, 2024.
Gukesh D (India, 2747) – 2023 FIDE Circuit winner.
I think Hikaru or Fabiano
Praggnanandhaa R (India, 2747) – 2023 World Cup runner-up.
Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2804) – third-place finisher at the 2023 World Cup.
Nijat Abasov (Azerbaijan, 2632) – fourth-place finisher at the 2023 World Cup after the winner, Magnus Carlsen, declined his right to participate.
Vidit Gujrathi (India, 2747) – 2023 Grand Swiss winner.
Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2789) – 2023 Grand Swiss runner-up.
Alireza Firouzja (France, 2760) – the best by rating on January 1, 2024.
Gukesh D (India, 2747) – 2023 FIDE Circuit winner.
I think Hikaru or Fabiano