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World Rugby Unveils Rebranded Junior World Championship With 16 Teams and Full 2026 Schedule

The redesign pairs expansion with a sternum-height tackle trial to emphasize player safety.

Overview

  • Tournament runs June 27–July 18 in Georgia, with matches in Tbilisi and Kutaisi across three venues.
  • Competition shifts to four pools of four, with only pool winners advancing to the semifinals and placement games determining all other rankings.
  • Defending champions South Africa U20 are drawn with Wales, Georgia and Uruguay in Pool A, opening against Uruguay at Tbilisi’s Avchala Stadium on June 27.
  • Fiji, USA, Japan and Uruguay join the field after promotion from the 2024 U20 Trophy.
  • The final is set for July 18 at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi, concluding knockout rounds staged over two days per round.