The World Athletics U20 Championships 2026 will be held from August 5-9, 2026, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, USA. This will be the 21st edition of the tournament, and over 1,800 junior athletes from 147 countries will be a part of it.
46 events will be a part of the 2026 championships, and there are equal numbers of disciplines for women and men – 22 each. The mixed 4x100m event will be making its World U20 Championships debut.
What are the Qualification Standards?
For the 2026 championships, only athletes aged 16, 17, 18, or 19 on 31 December 2026 (born in 2010, 2009, 2008 or 2007) can compete. A maximum of two athletes from any one Member Federation can compete in each individual event.
India will send a 36-member contingent to the tournament, and U20 champion Pooja Singh will lead it. Out of the 36 members, 13 of the spots are filled by female athletes.
India Women’s 13-member Squad:
| Athlete Name | Event |
| Tanu Chaudhary | 400m Hurdles |
| Pooja Singh | High Jump |
| Anshu | Shot Put |
| Amanat Kamboj | Discus Throw |
| Poonam | Javelin Throw |
| Aarti | 4×100m Relay |
| G. Bhavana | 4×100m Relay |
| Rujula Amol Bhonsle | 4×100m Relay |
| Ananya Suresh | 4×100m Relay |
| Kajal Hirabhai Vaja | 4×100m Relay |
| Tahura Khatun | 4×400m Relay / Mixed Relay |
| Bhoomika Sanjay Nehate | 4×400m Relay / Mixed Relay |
| Thiya Arumugam | 4×400m Relay / Mixed Relay |
India Women’s Schedule at the 2026 Championships:
| Day | Time | Event |
| August 5 (Day 1) | 22:52 PM IST | 4X400m Relay – Round 1 |
| August 5 (Day 1) | 6:30 AM IST (PDT 18:00) | Women’s Discus Throw Qualification (Group A) |
| August 5 (Day 1) | 7:50 AM IST (PDT 19:20) | Women’s Discus Throw Qualification (Group B) |
| August 5 (Day 1) | 9:20 AM IST (PDT 20:50) | Mixed 4x400m Relay Final |
| August 6 (Day 2) | 10:30 PM IST | Women’s Shot Put Qualification |
| August 6 (Day 2) | 1:23 AM IST | Women’s 400m Round 1 |
| August 6 (Day 2) | 6:30 AM IST (PDT 18:00) | Women’s Discus Throw Final |
| August 6 (Day 2) | 8:10 AM IST (PDT 19:40 IST) | Women’s Shot Put Final |
| August 6 (Day 2) | 8:38 AM IST (PDT 20:08) | Women’s 400m Semi-finals |
| August 7 (Day 3) | 10:30 PM IST | Women’s Javelin Throw Qualification (Group A) |
| August 7 (Day 3) | 11:35 PM IST | Women’s High Jump Qualifications |
| August 7 (Day 3) | 12:20 AM IST
(PDT 11:50) |
Women’s Javelin Throw Qualification (Group B) |
| August 7 (Day 3) | 9:15 AM IST
(PDT 20:45) |
Women’s 400m Final |
| August 8 (Day 4) | 11:15 PM IST | Women’s 4x400m Relay
Round 1 |
| August 8 (Day 4) | 6:45 AM IST
(PDT 18:15) |
Women’s 400m Hurdles Semi-finals |
| August 9 (Day 5) | 1:00 AM IST
(PDT 12:30) |
Women’s High Jump Final |
| August 9 (Day 5) | 1:35 AM IST
(PDT 13:05) |
Women’s 4x100m Relay Final |
| August 9 (Day 5) | 2:00 AM IST
(PDT 13:30) |
Women’s 400m Hurfroms Final |
| August 9 (Day 5) | 2:16AM IST
(PDT 13:46) |
Women’s Javelin Throw Final |
| August 9 (Day 5) | 3:12 AM IST
(PDT 14:42) |
Women’s 4x400m Relay Final |
*Subject to qualification in earlier rounds
How did India perform in the 2024 Edition?
The 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships were held in Lima, Peru— India had sent a 43-member contingent and only won 1 Bronze medal, finishing 34th on the overall medal tally.
Aarti won the sole medal in women’s 10,000m Race Walk and set a new U20 National Record of 44:39.39.
Where to watch the Championships in India?
The live action can be watched on WorldAthletics+ in India. It does not require any subscription and only requires you to create a free account.
