The 2026 Rugby World Junior Championship will take place in Georgia from 27 June to 18 July, with 16 teams competing.
Defending champions South Africa will enter the competition aiming to retain their title in a tournament with a new format and identity.
Formerly known as the World Rugby U20 Championship, the tournament is now called the Rugby World Junior Championship.
The competition will be held in Georgia, in the cities of Tbilisi and Kutaisi, and will
bring together the best national under-20 teams.
Crowned champions in 2025 in Italy, South Africa will defend their title in Pool A, where they will face the host nation, Georgia, as well as Wales and Uruguay.
Pool B includes New Zealand, Italy, Scotland and Japan. Pool C features Argentina, England, Ireland and the United States, while Pool D comprises France, Australia, Spain and Fiji.
According to World Rugby, this edition marks a return to a 16-team format, a first since 2009. This change aims to provide more competitive opportunities for young rugby talents worldwide.
Georgia is hosting the tournament for the second time after the 2017 edition, won by New Zealand who convincingly defeated England 64-17 in the final.
The pool stage matches will be played in Tbilisi and Kutaisi. The knockout stages will culminate in the final, scheduled for 18 July at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi.
The 2026 edition will also serve as a testing ground for a new rule regarding tackle height. World Rugby intends to improve player safety by lowering the permitted contact zone.
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