Almaty will host the first FIDE World University Team Chess Championship from 3 to 10 August 2026, bringing together 16 university teams from around the world at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The final stage of the FIDE World University Team Chess Championship 2026 will take place in Almaty this August, following the online qualification stages held in May. The competition is the first FIDE world team championship for universities. Sixteen teams will take part, with eight qualifying through the online competition and eight receiving wildcard invitations from FIDE and the organisers. The full programme runs from 3 to 10 August, with competition taking place from 4 to 9 August. The road to Almaty The field was decided across the first two stages. Two online Swiss qualifiers were held