FIDE pushed back the registration deadline for the World Junior U20 Championship in Caracas this November, giving federations more time to lock in their entries. The event runs November 17-28, 2026.
Here's what matters for your federation. Each national federation gets two invited spots, one per category. Want to send more players? You pay their way. But FIDE also hands out automatic berths to the top performers: the top three from the 2025 World Junior Championships, continental junior champions, the six highest-rated boys and four highest-rated girls on the January 1, 2026 rating list, plus the reigning World Youth Under-18 and Under-16 champions.
This is standard FIDE machinery. The federation caps direct spots to keep entries manageable while rewarding players who've already proven themselves at the highest level. Venezuela gets to host a major junior event with predictable attendance. For ambitious young players, the rating cutoff date matters now. You have until January to crack the top six (boys) or top four (girls) if you want that guaranteed invite.
The extended deadline is a practical move. Junior players and their federations often juggle multiple tournaments and financial decisions. Pushing the date gives everyone breathing room to confirm participation without scrambling.