The FIVB Board of Administration has approved Chile and Qatar as the host countries for the 2026 U17 Volleyball World Championships. Chile will host the Girls’ tournament, while Qatar is set to host the Boys’ event.
The second edition of these championships will be held in the respective capitals. Santiago, Chile, will welcome the Girls’ U17 World Championship from August 5 to 15, 2026. Following this, Doha, Qatar, will organize the Boys’ U17 event from August 19 to 29, 2026. This marks a historic moment for both nations, as neither Chile nor Qatar has previously hosted a senior or age-group FIVB Volleyball World Championship.
The inaugural FIVB Volleyball U17 World Championships took place in 2024. Lima, Peru, hosted the girls` competition, and Sofia, Bulgaria, hosted the boys`. China claimed the first Girls` U17 title, while Italy won the first Boys` U17 title.
Looking ahead to the 2026 editions, the format for these biennial tournaments has been updated. The number of participating teams in each championship will increase from 16 to 24, bringing them in line with the U19 and U21 FIVB World Championships. Additionally, teams will be permitted to include up to 14 players on their rosters.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood