Student-athletes from 14 countries and regions will compete in Mumbai from 3-9 August, as India stages a defining moment for the sport at university level ahead of its Olympic debut.
India will host the 2026 FISU World University Championship Squash at Somaiya Vidyavihar University in August. This brings together student-athletes from across the world for a week of international competition on Indian soil.
Organised in collaboration with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) under the aegis of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the championship carries the motto “Smashing Barriers, Uniting Nations.” The tournament arrives at a defining moment for the sport, as squash prepares for its historic Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
The FISU World University Championship Squash will take place from 3-9 August and all the action will be streamed live for all the university squash fans out there. To watch click here.
Click here to access photos and highlights.
Click here to get all the results!
You can find out more information on the event’s official website and on its social media outlets, Instagram and Facebook.
And also on FISU’s social media outlets, Instagram and Facebook.
From past to present
India’s role as host reflects a trajectory built over successive editions. At the 2023 FISU World University Games in Chengdu, Indian athletes delivered their best-ever performance, winning a record 26 medals. This achievement was recognised by the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally congratulated the contingent.
In 2026, Somaiya Vidyavihar University is taking its commitment to university sport further by hosting the Championship and financially supporting India’s entire six-member squash contingent, as they prepare to represent the country on the world stage.
Participating countries for the 2026 FISU WUC include:
- Brazil
- China
- Czechia
- France
- Hong Kong, China
- Hungary
- India
- New Zealand
- Poland
- Singapore
- Spain
- South Africa
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
For the student-athletes competing in Mumbai, the championship is a stage to test themselves against the world’s best university players and take a step toward future elite competition. The championship is held across five World Squash Federation (WSF) – certified courts, turning the campus into the global home of university squash for the week.
A competitive team from the host country
India will field a six-member contingent, with three student-athletes from Somaiya Vidyavihar University representing the host country on home courts: Suraj Chand, Om Semwal and Nirupama Dubey, competing alongside Sandesh P. R and Pooja Arthi from the University of Madras, and Shameena Riaz from SRM University. Mumbai’s Suraj Chand will also represent India at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan for the mixed doubles squash event.
Years of investment, one global stage
Somaiya Vidyavihar University being entrusted as host venue is the culmination of years of sustained investment by the Somaiya ecosystem in university sport. Over time, the university has developed its squash infrastructure into a WSF-standard facility, hosted the All India National Inter-University Squash Tournament on four occasions, and emerged as the official training base for the Indian national university squash team, not to mention the Somaiya players who emerged as winners.
What this event means to them
Dr (Mrs) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities:
“The Association of Indian Universities is proud to support Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai, as it hosts the FISU World University Squash Championship 2026. This landmark championship reflects India’s growing stature in international university sports and stands as a testimony to the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of the Government of India towards youth empowerment and sporting excellence. I express my sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, for the continued encouragement and support extended towards the development of university sports and the promotion of young sporting talent at national and international levels. I wish all participants great success and hope the championship becomes a celebration of excellence, unity, and the indomitable spirit of youth.”
Matthias Remund, FISU Secretary General and CEO:
“We are very pleased that FISU World University Championship Squash is returning to India. I am confident that the Association of Indian Universities and Somaiya Vidyavihar University will organise an attractive, unique and unforgettable event that will play an important role in the development of the university sports movement in India and beyond.”
Samir Somaiya, Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University: “Ever since my student days playing squash at Cornell, I have believed that world-class sporting infrastructure should be an integral part of the university ecosystem. Hosting the FISU World University Championship in Mumbai is a significant milestone in realising that vision. At Somaiya, we regard sports as a fundamental pillar of holistic education and are committed to creating an ecosystem that nurtures excellence both on and off the field. Our efforts extend beyond developing world-class facilities on campus to building sustainable pathways that identify, nurture, and empower young sporting talent, from our university courts to rural communities across the country.”
Prof Ajay Kapoor, Vice Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University:
“We are honoured that the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) have entrusted Somaiya Vidyavihar University with organising and hosting the 2026 FISU World University Championship Squash. This championship is the result of our shared commitment to advance university sport as a platform for excellence, international collaboration and cultural exchange. We look forward to welcoming student-athletes, officials and delegates from around the world to Mumbai and delivering an experience that reflects the spirit and values of university sport.”
Aazaz Khan, Director, Somaiya Sports Academy:
“Bringing this championship to our courts is the result of years of disciplined preparation. Our players have trained against international-standard competition, our coaches have built systems that produce results, and our facilities meet the benchmark this event demands. That readiness is what August will put on display.”
Building the Future of University Sport
Beyond the competition itself, the championship reflects Somaiya Vidyavihar University’s long-standing sporting culture and broader vision of integrating sport with higher education. While academic excellence and high-performance sport have often evolved along separate paths in India, the university believes both can thrive within the same ecosystem when supported by the right infrastructure, coaching and institutional commitment.
The championship will also serve as a live learning platform, with students contributing to tournament operations and gaining first-hand experience of hosting an international sporting event.
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