AFI Sets Selection Rules For World Athletics U20 Championships 2026 In Eugene

The Athletics Federation of India has set out detailed rules for picking the squad for the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, USA, scheduled from 5 to 9 August, with performances at specified domestic meets and strict qualification standards guiding every team selection.

According to the framework, results from three national competitions, supported by marks from the 22nd Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong from 28 to 31 May, will shape the final list, provided athletes also compete in mandatory trials and maintain comparable performance levels.

World Athletics U20 Championships selection process and domestic trials

The ongoing 24th National Junior Federation Competition in Tumkur, Karnataka, is being treated as the main selection ground for decathlon, heptathlon and race walk events, while two stops of the Indian Athletics Series in June will help fill remaining slots across track and field disciplines for the World Athletics U20 Championships.

The Indian Athletics Series 9 in Ludhiana, Punjab, on 13 June will act as a qualification platform for middle and long-distance races and throws, including 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 3000m steeplechase, shot put, discus throw, hammer throw and javelin throw, all feeding into the World Athletics U20 Championships squad decisions.

World Athletics U20 Championships qualification events and committee discretion

The Indian Athletics Series 10 in Trivandrum, Kerala, on 14 June will provide trials for sprints, hurdles and jumps, with events listed as 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 110m hurdles, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, high jump, pole vault, long jump and triple jump, all considered for World Athletics U20 Championships qualification.

AFI has stated that only one athlete in each individual discipline will gain automatic selection when performance and qualifying standards are met, while a possible second entrant in any event, excluding relay races, will depend on the AFI selection committee’s assessment of depth, consistency and competitive readiness.

World Athletics U20 Championships qualification standards for Indian men

AFI has released event-wise qualification marks for male athletes targeting the World Athletics U20 Championships, covering sprints, middle distance, distance, hurdles, steeplechase, jumps, throws, combined events, race walk and relays, which will be used alongside trial results to decide who earns a place in the Indian contingent.

World Athletics U20 Championships qualification standards for Indian women

Similar performance benchmarks have been fixed for women seeking places at the World Athletics U20 Championships, with times, distances and points set across sprint events, distance races, hurdles, steeplechase, jumps, throws, heptathlon, race walk and relay squads, ensuring that only athletes meeting these marks remain under consideration.

With the qualification pathway now public, Indian juniors aiming for the World Athletics U20 Championships must peak at the National Junior Federation meet, the two Indian Athletics Series stages and, where applicable, the Asian U20 Championships in Hong Kong, knowing that AFI will weigh both standards and consistency before finalising the squad for Eugene.