The Pokémon GO World Championships 2025 are just around the corner, promising intense battles and unforgettable moments. Set in Anaheim from August 15-17, this year’s championship will showcase the best Pokémon GO trainers from around the globe. To give you a sneak peek, three seasoned experts – Amanda Lundberg, Will Dunphey, and Martijn Versteeg – have shared their insights. From rising stars to Pokémon to watch, and even some bold predictions, here’s what you can expect at the ultimate Pokémon GO showdown. Prepare for thrilling battles and potential meta-shifts as these pros weigh in on the key elements of the tournament.
Top Pokémon GO Trainers to Watch in 2025
Identifying the trainers who are most likely to make a significant impact is always a hot topic leading up to the World Championships. Here’s what our experts had to say:
- MartoGalde: Amanda Lundberg highlights MartoGalde, the bronze medalist from the previous year. MartoGalde dominated the season, securing multiple tournament wins and direct invites.
- Beelzeboy: Representing India, Beelzeboy impressed in the 2024 World Championships with sharp reads and a composed playstyle.
- P4t0M4N: The Spanish standout has consistently qualified for Worlds, showcasing continuous improvement and earning a win at the EUIC 2025.
- Zzweilous: Dubbed ‘The Reverse Engineer,’ Zzweilous is known for creative team-building and core-breaking strategies. Will Dunphey notes Zzweilous’s consistent success and ability to innovate.
- Ilqm: Known for a balance of intensity and composure, Ilqm had a breakout season in 2025, winning events in Toronto and Atlanta. Shadow Drapion is a key component to his strategy.
- CharmingP0ri: This South Korean player dominated the qualifiers and playoffs in South Korea, known for lightning-fast reaction speed and seamless gameplay with bulky Pokémon like Dewgong.
- ItsAXN: Martijn Versteeg emphasizes the return of ItsAXN, the 2023 World Champion and 2025 NAIC Champion. Known for educational content, Master AXN is both a champion and a mentor.
- Richie1409: With a constant smile and evident love for the game, Richie1409 embodies the power of teamwork, preparing with friends and teammates like Iomero0 and SpartanL17.
- Pokemonemaker: Representing Japan, pokemonemaker is a standout competitor with a recent win at the 2025 Pokémon Regional Championships in Melbourne, and a Top 8 finish at the Japan Championships.
Out-of-the-Box Predictions for the 2025 World Championships
What unexpected twists and turns might we see at the championship? Our experts offer some intriguing predictions:
- No Repeat World Champion for Ten Years: Amanda Lundberg predicts that no trainer will repeat as World Champion for at least ten years, highlighting the depth and narrowing gap within the competitive field.
- Forretress as a Winning Bug-Type: Will Dunphey boldly suggests that Forretress, a Bug Bite user, could win gold, citing its unique blend of bulk and fast attack pressure.
- Latin American Dominance: Martijn Versteeg anticipates strong representation from Latin America, predicting at least four competitors from the region in the Top 8, driven by teamwork and friendship.
Expected Meta Changes Based on NAIC Usage Data
Analyzing the North America International Championships (NAIC) usage data provides insights into potential meta shifts. Here’s what our experts foresee:
- Continued Rise of Dusclops: All experts expect Dusclops to maintain high usage due to its bulk, disruptive capabilities, and favorable matchups against top threats.
- Safe and Unconventional Picks: Will Dunphey anticipates a blend of safe picks like Furret and Diggersby, alongside unique choices such as Shadow Annihilape and Galarian Moltres.
- Surprise Impact of Araquanid, Golisopod and Greninja: While not heavily used, Martijn Versteeg believes these Pokémon could still shape the meta based on their performance at NAIC.
Pokémon Spotlight: Potential Game Changers
Certain Pokémon might emerge as pivotal players during the championships. Here are a few to keep an eye on:
- Dedenne and Shadow Scizor: Highlighted by Will Dunphey, these Pokémon can dominate the battlefield with their sweeping capabilities, potentially shaping team compositions.
- Kanto Ninetales: With an all Fire-type kit, Ninetales could surprise opponents and quickly farm down Bug and Steel types.
- Runerigus and Charjabug: Discussed by Martijn Versteeg, these off-meta picks have the potential to disrupt common strategies. Charjabug’s buffed Bug Bite could make it a Dark- and Grass-type counter.
- Furret: A fan favorite, Furret is a versatile Normal-type Pokémon with a diverse moveset, making it effective against Ghost- and Water-type threats.
The Power of Teamwork and Friendship
Martijn Versteeg emphasizes the growing importance of teamwork and friendship in competitive Pokémon GO. Drawing parallels to the 2023 World Championships where the top three finishers were from North America, he points out the increasing trend of players forming or joining esports teams.
He also mentions the Brazilian competitors with the ‘LNDs’ tag, who are attending as a team, highlighting that this year’s World Championships will be defined by collaboration.
Where to Watch
Catch all the action live! The 2025 Pokémon GO World Championships will be broadcast on the Pokémon GO Twitch channel on August 15 and 16, 2025, starting at 9:00 a.m. PDT. The Championship Sunday broadcast will be on the Pokémon Twitch channel at 9:00 a.m. PDT on August 17, 2025.
Meet the Experts
Amanda Lundberg
Amanda Lundberg (Lundberger) is a contributing writer for Pokemon.com and the favorite Pokémon GO commentator of two World Champions’…moms! Follow her Pokémon travel adventures at youtube.com/@LundbergerPoGo or on x.com/Lundberger.
Will Dunphey
Will Dunphey is an esports commentator for the Pokémon GO Championship Series, having casted more than 35 official events, as of July 2025. Will began creating content for Pokémon GO PvP in 2020, the same year he became a grassroots World Champion. He is a leading voice in the Pokémon GO community, and the speediest of all the chiefs. Follow him on social media at @SpeediestChief2.
Martijn “Inadequance” Versteeg
Martijn “Inadequance” Versteeg is a 2024 Pokémon GO Worlds finalist, a Pokémon GO content creator on Twitch and YouTube, and a commentator at Play! Pokémon events. Known for his strategic depth and unconventional choices, he has made a significant impact on the global competitive scene for Pokémon GO.
Final Thoughts on the 2025 Pokémon GO World Championships
As the 2025 Pokémon GO World Championships approach, the insights from Amanda Lundberg, Will Dunphey, and Martijn Versteeg provide a comprehensive preview of what to expect. From highlighting key trainers and bold predictions to analyzing potential meta shifts and spotlighting game-changing Pokémon, this preview sets the stage for an electrifying tournament. With a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars, the competition promises to be fierce and unpredictable.
The emphasis on teamwork and the potential rise of Latin American competitors add compelling storylines, making this year’s championship one of the most anticipated yet. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a casual fan, the 2025 Pokémon GO World Championships are set to deliver unforgettable moments and showcase the very best of competitive Pokémon GO. Tune in to witness the battles, strategies, and surprises that await in Anaheim!
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