FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) are pleased to announce the dates for the African and American Continental stages of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 (WSTC 2026).
As part of the global WSTC cycle, continental events bring together leading school teams from around the world, with best teams qualifying for the Grand Final at the end of the year.
African Continental Stage
Cape Town, South Africa
July 6–11, 2026 (arrival: July 6, departure: July 11)
American Continental Stage
San Jose, Costa Rica
August 11–16, 2026 (arrival: August 11, departure: August 16)
Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President:
“We are delighted to launch two new continental school championships in Africa and the Americas as part of our Year of Chess in Education. These regions are emerging chess hubs with tremendous potential. In recent years, we have seen significant progress in their chess infrastructure and school programs, and these championships will help drive that growth even further. FIDE will continue to provide support as part of our long-term strategy to expand the game beyond its traditional centers.”
Timur Turlov, ISCF President:
“I am very pleased to see the expansion of continental school championships to Africa and the Americas. These initiatives are an important step in strengthening youth engagement and building sustainable chess ecosystems in both regions. I look forward to the upcoming events in Cape Town in July and San Jose in August, which will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of players.”
The format and competition regulations remain consistent across all continental stages. Each event will be played in a team format under official FIDE regulations, ensuring a high level of sporting and organizational standards.
Each participating team must consist of:
- four main players
- one reserve
- one non-playing captain
Teams are required to include both boys and girls (with limited exceptions for single-gender schools), and all players must meet the age eligibility criteria as outlined in the Regulations.
In line with the Year of Chess in Education 2026, each continental stage will also feature an educational programme alongside the competition, including masterclasses, workshops, and cultural exchange activities.
National federations are kindly invited to plan their national selection processes and prepare their teams for participation.
Registration for both events will open in due course. Further details, including invitation letters and logistical information, will be published soon.
Regulations for World Schools Team Championship 2026 (PDF)
For inquiries, please contact: worldschoolteam@fide.com
Official website: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/