FIDE World University Team Chess Championship 2026: 32 teams advance to knockout stage (opens in new tab)

The first stage of the inaugural FIDE World University Team Championship has concluded, with 32 teams advancing from two online Swiss qualifiers to the knockout phase. Saint Louis University topped the Americas and Africa qualifier, while Ural State Mining University led the Europe and Asia event. The qualified teams will now compete online for eight places in the over-the-board finals, scheduled for August 3-9 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.