2026 will mark the debut of the newly established Under-20 Challenger Rugby World Cup, with eight nations from around the world meeting in Chile fight for a chance to win the title.
Chile, the organizer of the open invitational tournament, will host Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong, China, Brazil, Canada, Belgium and Namibia in the next fifteen days, with the first start of the competition scheduled for this Friday.
The tournament is divided into two groups of four teams each: 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 final on the 17th, where each group winner will battle it out for a chance to be crowned champion.
With a burning desire to make the headlines, new superstar talent will emerge from what is already a historic tournament, and you can find out more about them in our quick guide to the competition.
POOL A
Chile
Captain: Marko Alvano
Player to Watch: Max Schlesinger (Lockdown)
Coach: Eduardo Eceto
Hosts Chile are poised to make history by hosting the first Rugby World Cup Under-20 Challengers. Led by Eduardo Etchet, the U20 Condores have the tools to grab everyone’s attention with a dynamic, physical style that perfectly showcases Chile’s rugby DNA. Max Schlesinger and outside back Marco Alvano are two of Chile’s most talented players and have already made a strong impact on Selknam in Super Rugby Américas, which says everything you need to know about the team’s capabilities. The locals will surely be aiming for the final of the competition, determined to make history from October 2.
Romania
Captain: Antonio Mitrea
Player to watch: Antonio Mitrea (outside back)
Coach: R?zvan Popović
The U20 Stejarii are making their big return to the international limelight and will be looking to score a brace or two at the upcoming U20 2026 World Rugby Under 20 Challenger Cup. Coach R?zvan Popović, Romania looking for their first breakthrough in years at U20 level, built on an efficient, relentless back line and a forward pack that doesn’t shy away from getting involved in fast-paced play. Captained by Antonio Mitree, who has already earned several senior Stejariie caps, the Eastern European nation will also have Hartpury University RFC and Westcliff RFC outside backs Giovanni Paolo Aiello and Baia Mare Raul Pop as their main standouts at the tournament.
Brazil
Captain: Francisco Carvalho Da Ros
Player to watch: Francisco Carvalho Da Ros (loose forward)
Coach: Leandro Gevaerd
The Curumins travel to Chile, wanting to show how Brazil has progressed through the youth ranks in recent years, with a team full of flair and burning passion. Head coach Leandro Gevaerd commands a team that wants to not only deliver promising performances, but also pave the way for future generations. Desterro’s flanker Francisco Carvalho Da Ros is sure to steal the headlines, as the young back rower is a crafty player and a voracious attacker who doesn’t know when or how to quit. While Brazil may not be the main contenders to win the Challenger, it would be remiss not to see them as a threat.
Hong Kong China
Captain: Kai Tiltman and Gabriel Horberry
Player to watch: Kai Tiltman (No.8)
Coach: Sian B Moore
Former Wales international Sia?n B Moore will lead U20 Hong Kong China Rugby from the front as the Asian side enter the Rugby World Cup under-20 focused on making an impact. Accustomed to this level of the U-20 tournament, Hong Kong China bring a special pedigree to the 2026 campaign with a squad brimming with talent and ambition, including Kowloon RC’s Kai Tiltman, HKFC’s Liam Gordon and Harrogate RUFC’s Gabriel Horberry as three key players. With a male Rugby World Cup on the horizon, more than a few U20 operators will be looking to make some noise on Friday.
POOL B
Portugal
Captain: Duarte Vasco Costa (No.8)
Player to watch: Luke Pereira (lock)
Coach: Gonçalo Foro and Marcello D’Orey
Current U20 Men European Rugby Championship the champions are looking for more silverware even if they are set 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 style of play as the seniors: energetic passing of the ball, cheeky and cunning players and a willingness to take risks 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 the hope of helping their side reach the top.
Canada
Captain: Liam Kinghorn / Luke Perst
Player to watch: Ben Koolen (prop)
Coach: Christiaan Esterhuizen
It can Canada get your hands on the U20 Challenger title? Head coach Christiaan Esterhuizen promised his team’s determination to show what they can do at this stage, and will strive to represent Canada with their utmost pride and passion. For fans at home, there are more than a few names to get acquainted with ahead of the competition, including Loughborough University whore JJ Kinnear; University of Hartpury and Gloucester Rugby prop Ben Koolen; Cowichan RFC and Pacific Pride fullback Luke Prest; and Race 92 utility back Joe Kaufmann. Canada brings an almost unique blend of relentless physicality, polished setup and aggressive lines that will undoubtedly put opposing defenses under significant pressure.
Namibia
Captain: Tjeripo Karuhumba
Player to watch: Tjeripo Karuhumba (Forward)
Coach: Christiaan Johannes Zaayman
Three-time 4th-placed Namibia head to South America confident of breathing new life into Namibian rugby, following a squad brimming with talent and power. From captain and loose forward Tjerip Karuhumba to outside back Jano Erasmus, the U20 Welwitschias have no shortage of talent, locked in to instill confidence and belief that Namibia can make it to the big league. Led by Christiaan Johannes Zaayman, the team tries to impose themselves through a powerful set-piece and a menacing physical presence in contact to gain an advantage.
Belgium
Captain: Thomas Wickham
Player to watch: Oscar Shortall (utility return)
Head coach: Armand Mardon, Kevin Williams and Simon Dodd
One of the most exciting rugby nations in the world right now, Belgium come to Chile to impress and grab 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 Shortal, US Oyonnax’s Maxime Nyssen, Aviron Bayonnais’ Sohan Facquez and USO Nevers’ Bryan Lucas helping 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 count.
For the tournament schedule, you can find all the information at u20challengersantiago2026.com . RugbyPassTV will broadcast the tournament.
October 2 – 1st round
Romania v Brazil (14:00 BST / 10:00 local time); Namibia v Canada (19:00 BST / 13:00 local time); Belgium v Portugal (20:00 BST / 16:00 local time); Chile – Hong Kong China (23:00 BST / 19:00 local time)
