The FIVB has commenced accepting applications from potential host nations for the 2026 edition of the Volleyball U17 World Championships. National volleyball governing bodies are now invited to submit proposals for organizing the second iteration of these youth tournaments for both female and male competitors.
As part of the federation’s commitment to youth volleyball development, these championships occur every two years. The forthcoming 2026 competitions will build upon the foundation established by the inaugural events, which saw Peru’s capital Lima host the girls’ tournament and Bulgaria’s Sofia welcome the boys’ championship in 2024. The first-ever world titles in this age category were secured by China in the girls’ division and Italy in the boys’ division.
A significant expansion will take effect with the 2026 tournaments, as participant numbers increase from 16 to 24 teams per gender. This enlargement synchronizes the U17 structure with the established format used in U19 and U21 tournaments, enhancing competitive prospects for teams across all continental volleyball confederations.
Several operational modifications have also been announced by the international federation. These include revisions to qualification procedures and tournament structure. Furthermore, the U17 World Championships will be incorporated into the global FIVB ranking system, reinforcing the tournaments’ significance within the player development framework.
Administrative changes will affect team composition rules for the 2026 events. Participating national teams will be permitted to include up to 14 athletes on their official registration forms (O-2bis), harmonizing this process with protocols implemented across the federation’s other international competitions.
Volleyball governing bodies interested in hosting these prestigious youth tournaments must communicate their intent by May 30, 2025. The final selection and corresponding financial support package will be confirmed by the FIVB’s administrative board approximately one month later, on June 30, 2025.
Complete technical specifications and organizational requirements can be accessed through the comprehensive bidding documentation made available by the federation.
