Costa Rica will host the American Continental Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026 in August, marking the first time Central America has hosted this FIDE-ISCF event. The tournament takes place August 11-16 in San José at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari.
School teams from across the Americas will compete. Mexico, Peru, Jamaica, Barbados, and other nations will send their strongest young players. Winners advance to the Grand Final to face champions from other continental stages.
This is genuinely historic for the region. Central America has never hosted this stage before, and Costa Rica's selection reflects growing chess development in the area. The tournament positions San José as a hub for youth chess at the international level.
The WSTC brings together the next generation of competitive players. Team formats teach collaboration and strategic thinking under pressure. For young talents in the Americas, this continental stage serves as a crucial filter before the global championship.
Costa Rica's role as host matters for chess infrastructure in Latin America. It signals that the region has the capacity and interest to develop young talent seriously. Expect this to inspire more youth chess programs across Central America in the coming years.