FIDE has announced that Mohammed al-Mudahka, President of Qatar Chess Association (QCA) will oversee the next edition of the World Chess Olympiad to be held in September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Al Mudahka's appointment to oversee the World Olympiad comes in recognition of his efforts in supporting and developing chess internationally and the remarkable success of the World Championship hosted by Qatar in December.
Samarkand will host the 46th Chess Olympiad from September 10 to 24, 2026. The city is currently undergoing intensive preparations to host the major event.
Mohammed al-Mudahka expressed his pleasure at his appointment for one of the most important chess events in the world, expressing his gratitude for the great trust placed in him by the global chess community.
The QCA president, who also serves as the Director of International Relations at FIDE, commended the significant work being done by FIDE, under the leadership of Arkady Dvorkovich, to elevate the game at all levels, develop FIDE competitions, and expand the game's reach in developing countries.
Al-Mudahka explained that the upcoming strategy aims to continue advancing chess in Asia, and that Uzbekistan's hosting of the World Chess Olympiad is part of its efforts to support the global chess movement.
He also announced the Qatari national team's participation in the upcoming Olympiad, noting that Qatar's presence in such major tournaments is crucial in every respect. He emphasized the association’s commitment to participating in the World Chess Olympiad to raise the level of its players.
Al-Mudahka stressed that chess is a global game that encourages integrity, inclusion, and mutual respect, and contributes to fostering an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding among peoples and nations.
