- Eight U16 national teams will compete in the 2026 CONMEBOL–UEFA Development Tournament: Chile, Paraguay, Puerto Rico -invited by UEFA- and Northern Ireland in the women’s category, and Bolivia, Paraguay, Puerto Rico -invited by UEFA- and Greece in the men’s category.
- Matches will kick off on Monday, June 1, and will be streamed live on CONMEBOL’s official YouTube channel.
- The tournament’s main objective is to provide a valuable competitive experience focused on learning and cultural exchange.
Paraguay will host the second edition of the CONMEBOL–UEFA Development Tournament, a competition jointly organized by both Confederations with the aim of providing young footballers with a competitive, educational and cultural exchange experience.
The tournament will take place from June 1 to 6 in the city of Luque, with all matches being played at CONMEBOL’s headquarters. In addition to the matches, the programme will include workshops and cultural exchange activities, reinforcing the educational and holistic development approach promoted by this initiative.
For the first time, the tournament will feature both men’s and women’s competitions, bringing together eight U16 national teams from different regions of the world. In the women’s category, Chile, Paraguay, Puerto Rico -invited by UEFA- and Northern Ireland will participate, while Bolivia, Paraguay, Puerto Rico -invited by UEFA- and Greece will compete in the men’s division.
The CONMEBOL–UEFA U16 Development Tournament seeks to provide young talents with opportunities for international competition, allowing them to face different playing styles and enjoy enriching experiences both on and off the pitch. Beyond sporting results, the tournament promotes values such as respect, unity, fair play and learning through cultural exchange.
The inaugural edition of the tournament was held in Venezuela in 2025, marking a milestone in the collaboration between the development programmes of CONMEBOL and UEFA. On that occasion, the host nation claimed the title following an outstanding performance.
With this new edition, Paraguay becomes the hub of an initiative that continues to strengthen youth football development and consolidate cooperation between both Confederations, fostering the growth of the game from its grassroots level.
The U16 Development Tournament is a project led by the CONMEBOL Development Directorate through the CONMEBOL Evolución Programme, in partnership with UEFA’s Together Programme.
All matches will be streamed live on CONMEBOL’s official YouTube channel, allowing fans and families to closely follow the progress of these promising young international footballers.
– Match schedule –
– Tournament regulations –
CONMEBOL.com
