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The Esports Foundation (EF) has completed the online regional qualifiers for the Chess tournament at the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from November 2-29, 2026. The qualifiers have secured a diverse and competitive field of at least 82 countries and territories for the event.
The 128-player chess field is now set, with 64 players receiving direct invitations based on their rankings in the Champions Chess Tour (CCT) as of the end of May. The remaining 61 players qualified through regional online events organized by Chess.com, spanning North America, South America, Africa, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East/India/Central Asia, and East Asia/Southeast Asia/Oceania.
Additionally, Amani Alazmi from Kuwait was awarded a slot through the Host Region Wildcard, recognizing the highest-placing competitor from the host nation. Two more Wildcard Solidarity slots for underrepresented regions will be announced by the end of August. The qualifiers have already seen standout performances, with nations like Jamaica, Paraguay, Singapore, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, and Turkmenistan each earning two qualifying spots without direct invitations. Countries such as Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Venezuela, Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, Jordan, Australia, and New Zealand also secured their places.
The chess tournament at ENC 2026 will begin on November 2 with a round-robin group stage, featuring 16 groups of eight players each. The competition will then advance to a 64-player single-elimination playoff bracket, ensuring an intense and exciting conclusion. The complete list of qualified players and nations is available on the official ENC website.
The diverse representation in this year’s chess tournament reflects the growing global interest in chess as a competitive esports discipline. The inclusion of such a wide array of nations highlights the sport’s broad appeal and the Esports Nations Cup’s dedication to promoting international competition.
