Mumbai is set to host one of the biggest university squash events in the world when the 2026 FISU World University Championship Squash gets underway at Somaiya Vidya Vihar University from August 3 to 9.
The week-long championship will bring together some of the finest student-athletes from across the globe, with participants from 14 countries expected to compete. The tournament will be organised by Somaiya Vidya Vihar University in collaboration with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) under the aegis of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), marking a significant milestone for both the institution and Indian university sport.
It also represents another major international sporting event for Mumbai, underlining India’s growing stature as a destination capable of hosting global university competitions. Over seven days, the championship will feature men’s and women’s singles as well as team events, with some of the world’s leading university players battling for top honours.
India, which last hosted the World University Squash Championship in Chennai in 2014, will be hoping to make the most of home conditions as the global university squash fraternity returns to the country after more than a decade.
“Everyone has worked extremely hard to get where we are, and it’s a great moment for the sport,” said Cyrus Poncha, the secretary general at the Squash Rackets Federation of India.
The organisers believe the championship could leave a lasting impact beyond the competition itself by inspiring greater participation in university sport and showcasing India’s ability to stage international events.
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“Our expectation is to create popularity not just in squash but other sports. Hopefully, we can professionally deliver what we are expected to deliver. We should pull up our socks and deliver,” Aazaz Khan, sports director at Somaiya Sports Academy, said.
India heads into the tournament with encouraging recent performances. At the 2024 edition in Johannesburg, both the Indian men’s team and the mixed team returned with bronze medals, providing a strong platform to build on ahead of the home championship.
Competing in front of home fans, however, brings its own set of expectations.
“This time, we have home support, but that’s also a challenge. When we played in Johannesburg in 2024, I did not expect much, but we won bronze. So now that the tournament is at home, the hopes are to win gold,” said Suraj Chand, a member of the Indian team.
Published on Jul 22, 2026
