A comprehensive guide to the 2026 World Rugby Under 20 Challenger Cup

2026 will mark the debut of the newly established World Rugby Under 20 Challenger Cup, with eight nations from all over the world meeting in Chile to fight for a chance to claim the title.

Chile will host Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Brazil, Canada, Belgium and Namibia over the next fifteen days, with the competition’s first kick-off set for this Friday.

The tournament is split into two groups of four teams: Brazil, Chile, Romania, and Hong Kong China in Group A, and Portugal, Canada, Namibia, and Belgium in Group B. All matches will be played at CARR Parque Mahuida in Santiago, Chile; the first round is scheduled for October 2, the second for October 7, and the third for October 12, followed by the finals on October 17, where each group winner will compete for the chance to be named champions.

With a burning desire to make the front pages, new superstar talents will emerge from what is already a historic tournament, and you can find more about them in our quick competition guide:

POOL A

Chile
Captain: Marco Alvano
Player to Watch: Max Schlesinger (lock)
Head coach: Eduardo Etcheto
Highest finish in U20 Trophy/Challenger: 2nd place in 2008

The hosts, Chile, are ready to make history after almost 10 years without playing in the U20 Challenger (formerly known as the Trophy). Coached by Eduardo Etcheto, the U20 Cóndores have the tools to grab everyone’s attention with a dynamic, physical style that superbly showcases Chile’s rugby DNA. Senior-capped lock Max Schlesinger and outside back Marco Alvano are two of Chile’s most talented players and have already made a strong impact for Selknam in Super Rugby Américas, which says everything you need to know about the team’s capabilities. The locals will surely be targeting the competition’s final, determined to make history starting on October 2.

Romania
Captain: Antonio Mitrea
Player to Watch: Antonio Mitrea (outside back)
Head coach: R?zvan Popovici
Highest finish in U20 Trophy/Challenger: 1st place in 2009

The U20 Stejarii make their grand return to the international spotlight and will look to pull off an upset or two in the 2026 World Rugby Under 20 Challenger Cup. Coached by R?zvan Popovici, Romania are looking for their first breakthrough in years at U20 level, with an efficient, relentless backline and a forward pack that doesn’t shy away from getting involved in quick play. Captained by Antonio Mitrea, who has already earned a handful of caps for the senior Stejarii, Romania will also have Hartpury University RFC and Westcliff RFC outside back Giovanni Paolo Aiello and Baia Mare’s Raul Pop among their main standouts across the tournament.

Brazil
Captain: Francisco Carvalho Da Ros
Player to Watch: Francisco Carvalho Da Ros (loose forward)
Head coach: Leandro Gevaerd
Highest finish in U20 Trophy/Challenger: 7th place in 2019

The Curumins are bound for Chile, looking to showcase how Brazil have progressed in the youth categories over the last few years, with a team packed with flair and flaring passion. Head coach Leandro Gevaerd commands a side that is eager to deliver not only promising performances but also to pave the way for future generations. Desterro’s flanker Francisco Carvalho Da Ros will certainly steal the headlines, as the young back-rower is a crafty jackler and a voracious tackler who doesn’t know when or how to give up. While Brazil might not be main contenders to win the Challenger, it would be a mistake not to see them as a threat.

Hong Kong China
Captain: Kai Tiltman and Gabriel Horberry
Player to Watch: Kai Tiltman (No. 8)
Head coach: Sia?n B Moore
Highest finish in U20 Trophy/Challenger: 6th in 2018

Former Welsh international Sia?n B Moore will lead the U20 Hong Kong China Rugby from the front as the Asian side steps into the World Rugby Under 20 Challenger Cup focused on making an earth-shattering impact. Accustomed to this level of U-20 tournaments, Hong Kong China bring a special pedigree to the 2026 campaign with a squad brimming with talent and ambition, featuring Kowloon RC’s Kai Tiltman, HKFC’s Liam Gordon, and Harrogate RUFC’s Gabriel Horberry as three of their key players. With the men’s Rugby World Cup on the horizon, more than a few U20 operators will look to make noise come Friday.

POOL B

Portugal
Captain: Duarte Vasco Costa (No. 8)
Player to Watch: Luke Pereira (lock)
Head coach: Gonçalo Foro and Marcello D’Orey
Highest finish in U20 Trophy/Challenger: 2nd place in 2017 and 2019

The current U20 men’s Rugby Europe Championship champions have come close to winning past U20 Trophy/Challenger titles, so they will try to overcome every challenge to finally lift the title. Coached by former Lobos greats Marcello D’Orey and Gonçalo Foro, Portugal embody the same playing style as the senior side: energetic ball passing, brash and crafty players and a desire to embrace risk and the impossible. US Oyonnax lock Luke Pereira and GD Direito back-rower Miguel Romero are two of the U20 Lobos’ leading operators, ready to unleash their handling finesse and passionate defensive aggression in hopes of helping their side reach the top.

Canada
Captain: Liam Kinghorn / Luke Prest
Player to Watch: Ben Koolen (prop)
Head coach: Christiaan Esterhuizen
Highest finish in U20 Trophy/Challenger: 2nd place in 2013 and 2015

Can Canada finally get their hands on the U20 Challenger trophy, after finishing as runners-up twice in 2013 and 2015? Head coach Christiaan Esterhuizen has spoken of his side’s determination to show what they can do at this stage, and they will be looking to represent Canada with the utmost pride and passion. For fans at home, there are more than a few names to get familiar with ahead of the competition, including Loughborough University hooker JJ Kinnear; Hartpury University and Gloucester Rugby prop Ben Koolen; Cowichan RFC and Pacific Pride fullback Luke Prest; and Racing 92 utility back Joe Kaufmann. Canada bring an almost unique blend of relentless physicality, a polished set-piece, and aggressive running lines that will undoubtedly put opposition defences under significant pressure.

Namibia
Captain: Tjeripo Karuhumba
Player to Watch: Tjeripo Karuhumba (utility forward)
Head coach: Christiaan Johannes Zaayman
Highest finish in U20 Trophy/Challenger: 4th place in 2016, 2017 and 2018

A three-time 4th-place finisher, Namibia are departing for South America with the conviction of breathing new life into Namibian rugby, fielding a squad drenched in talent and power. From captain and loose forward Tjeripo Karuhumba to outside back Jano Erasmus, the U20 Welwitschias have no shortage of talent, locked in to inject confidence and belief that Namibia can make it into the big leagues. Under the guidance of Christiaan Johannes Zaayman, the team looks to impose itself through a powerful set-piece and menacing physical presence in contact to gain the upper hand.

Belgium
Captain:
Player to Watch: Oscar Shortall (utility back)
Head coach: Armand Mardon, Kevin Williams, and Simon Dodd
Highest finish in U20 Trophy/Challenger: None

One of the current most exciting rugby nations in the world, Belgium are coming to Chile to impress and capture everyone’s attention. For the U20 Challenger Cup, they will unleash a squad with everything it takes to win it all, as La Rochelle’s Oscar Shortall, US Oyonnax’s Maxime Nyssen, Aviron Bayonnais’ Sohan Facquez, and USO Nevers’ Bryan Lucas are in the mix to help their nation make history. The coaching staff, led by Armand Mardon, Kevin Williams, and Simon Dodd, have developed a game plan that combines impressive speed and agility with relentless intensity in every area of the game, always looking to make every opportunity pay off.

For the tournament schedule, you can find full information at https://u20challengersantiago2026.com/calendario. RugbyPassTV will be broadcasting the tournament.

October 2 – Round 1
Romania vs Brazil (2 pm BST / 10 am local time); Namibia vs Canada (7 pm BST / 1 pm local time); Belgium vs Portugal (8 pm BST / 4 pm local time); Chile vs Hong Kong China (11 pm BST / 3 pm local time)