FISU World University Squash C'ship 2026: Mumbai to host 14 nations from Aug 3
Synopsis
India is not just competing at the 2026 FISU World University Squash Championship — it is hosting it. With squash confirmed for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, this Mumbai tournament is the most consequential university squash event the country has ever staged, and a direct audition for a generation of student-athletes chasing Olympic dreams.
Key Takeaways
Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai will host the 2026 FISU World University Squash Championship from 3 to 9 August 2026 .
14 nations will compete across five WSF-certified courts on the Somaiya campus.
India fields a six-member squad from three universities: Somaiya Vidyavihar, University of Madras, and SRM University.
Suraj Chand of Somaiya Vidyavihar is also selected for mixed doubles at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan .
The championship gains added significance as squash is set for its Olympic debut at LA 2028 .
India won a record 26 medals at the 2023 FISU World University Games in Chengdu , reflecting the country's rising university sports profile.
Mumbai's Somaiya Vidyavihar University will host the 2026 FISU World University Squash Championship from 3 to 9 August 2026, bringing together student-athletes from 14 countries for a week-long competition that doubles as a critical build-up to squash's long-awaited Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The championship is being organised in collaboration with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) under the aegis of the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
Tournament Setup and Participating Nations
Competition will be held across five World Squash Federation (WSF)-certified courts on the Somaiya Vidyavihar campus. The 14 participating nations are Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Czech Republic, France, Spain, Hungary, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil, Switzerland, Poland, South Africa, China, and hosts India — a field that reflects the global reach of university-level squash.
India's Six-Member Squad
India will field a six-member squad drawn from three universities. Suraj Chand, Om Semwal, and Nirupama Dubey represent Somaiya Vidyavihar University; Sandesh P. R. and Pooja Arthi come from the University of Madras; and Shameena Riaz represents SRM University. Notably, Suraj Chand is also set to represent India in the mixed doubles event at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, underlining the competitive depth within the squad.
Why This Championship Matters
The event arrives at a pivotal moment for Indian university sport. The country recorded a landmark 26-medal haul at the 2023 FISU World University Games in Chengdu, and hosting this championship signals a step up in India's ambition to be a destination for international university competition — not merely a participant. With squash confirmed for LA 2028, the FISU circuit now carries direct Olympic relevance for young players seeking ranking points and exposure.
What Organisers and Officials Said
Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities, said the championship 'reflects India's growing stature in international university sports' and acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in fostering young talent at national and international levels.
FISU Secretary General and CEO Matthias Remund expressed confidence in the host institutions, stating: '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.'
Somaiya Vidyavihar University Chancellor Samir Somaiya, who cited his own squash-playing days at Cornell, described the hosting as 'a significant milestone' in the university's vision of integrating world-class sporting infrastructure into higher education. Vice-Chancellor Ajay Kapoor added that the championship reflects a 'shared commitment to advance university sport as a platform for excellence, international collaboration and cultural exchange.'
Aazaz Khan, Director of the Somaiya Sports Academy, credited 'years of disciplined preparation' — in coaching systems, player development, and facility standards — for making the hosting possible.
What Comes Next
With the draw and match schedule expected to be confirmed closer to the 3 August start date, attention will turn to India's home-court prospects and whether the tournament can produce the kind of performances that translate into Olympic qualification pathways ahead of LA 2028.
Point of View
But the real test is whether events like this build durable pipelines rather than one-off spectacles. Squash's inclusion in LA 2028 raises the stakes considerably — university circuits now feed directly into Olympic qualification, meaning India's home advantage here carries strategic weight beyond prestige. The multi-university composition of India's squad is encouraging, but the country's depth in squash remains thin compared to the sport's traditional powerhouses. Whether Somaiya's investment in WSF-certified infrastructure translates into sustained elite output — not just a well-run week — is the question that matters most.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when is the 2026 FISU World University Squash Championship being held?
The 2026 FISU World University Squash Championship will be held at Somaiya Vidyavihar University in Mumbai from 3 to 9 August 2026. Competition will take place across five WSF-certified courts on the university campus.
Which countries are participating in the FISU World University Squash Championship 2026?
A total of 14 nations will compete: Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Czech Republic, France, Spain, Hungary, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil, Switzerland, Poland, South Africa, China, and hosts India.
Who are the Indian players competing at the FISU Squash Championship 2026?
India's six-member squad comprises Suraj Chand, Om Semwal, and Nirupama Dubey (Somaiya Vidyavihar University), Sandesh P. R. and Pooja Arthi (University of Madras), and Shameena Riaz (SRM University). Suraj Chand is also selected for mixed doubles at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Why is the FISU World University Squash Championship 2026 significant?
The championship is particularly significant because squash is set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, making FISU-level competition a key pathway for young players. It also marks India's growing role as a host nation for international university sport, following a record 26-medal haul at the 2023 FISU World University Games in Chengdu.
Who is organising the FISU Squash Championship in Mumbai?
Somaiya Vidyavihar University is organising the championship in collaboration with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), under the aegis of the International University Sports Federation (FISU). FISU Secretary General Matthias Remund has expressed confidence in the organisers' ability to deliver a successful event.
