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, the organisers of the open invitational tournament, 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 17th, 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

The hosts, Chile, are ready to make history hosting the first ever World Rugby Under 20 Challenger Cup. 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 the 2nd of October.

Romania

Captain: Antonio Mitrea

Player to Watch: Antonio Mitrea (outside back)

Head coach: R?zvan Popovici

The U20 Stejarii make their grand return to the international spotlight and will look to pull off a stun or two in the upcoming U20 2026 World Rugby Under 20 Challenger Cup. Coached by R?zvan Popovici, Romania is looking for its first breakthrough in years at the U20 level, built on 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, the Eastern European nation will also have in the outside backs RFC Hartpury University and Westcliff RFC Giovanni Paolo Aiello and Baia Mare Raul Pop as 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

The Curumins are bound for Chile, looking to showcase how Brazil has 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 a main contender to win the Challenger, it would be mistaken 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: Sian B Moore

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 brings 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 its 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

The current U20 Men’s Rugby Europe Championship champions are looking for more silverware even if they are bound to clash with some of the competition’s best sides. Coached by former Lobos greats Marcello D’Orey and Gonçalo Foro, Portugal embodies 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

Can Canada get their hands on the U20 Challenger title? Head coach Christiaan Esterhuizen has promised his side’s determination to show what they can do at this stage, and they will be looking to represent Canada with their 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 brings 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

A three-time 4th-place finisher, Namibia is departing to South America with the conviction of breathing new life into Namibian rugby, following 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 the contact to gain the upper hand.

Belgium

Captain: Thomas Wickham

Player to Watch: Oscar Shortall (utility back)

Head coach: Armand Mardon, Kevin Williams, and Simon Dodd

One of the current most exciting rugby nations in the world, Belgium is coming to Chile to impress and conquer everyone’s attention. For the U20 Challenger Cup, they will unleash a squad with everything it takes to win it all, with Stade Rochelais’ Oscar Shortall, US Oyonnax’s Maxime Nyssen, Aviron Bayonnais’ Sohan Facquez, and USO Nevers’ Bryan Lucas in the mix to help their nation make history. The coaching staff, led by Armand Mardon, Kevin Williams, and Simon Dodd, has 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 u20challengersantiago2026.com . RugbyPassTV will be broadcasting the tournament.

October 2nd – 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 / 7 pm local time)