FIDE and ISCF announce 2026 African World Schools Team Chess Championship

The African stage of the 2026 FIDE and ISCF World Schools Team Championship (WSTC) is scheduled to take place from July 6 to 11, 2026, at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa. This tournament serves as the second continental qualifier in the 2026 cycle and is part of the 'Year of Chess in Education 2026' initiative. The event is organized by FIDE and ISCF with support from Freedom Holding Corp. Organizers expect nearly 30 school teams to participate, with top performers advancing to the WSTC 2026 Grand Final. The championship encompasses four continental stages, including Asia, which concluded in April in Almaty, the Americas, to be held in August in San Jose, and Europe, with details pending. The Grand Final is currently planned for December 2026. The structure was developed following a 2023 initiative by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Freedom Holding Corp. CEO Timur Turlov.