COMPETITION FORMULA: 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship

The 24 participating teams are split into six single round-robin pools (A, B, C, D, E and F) of four teams each for the first stage of the championship.

16 teams – the six pool winners, the six pool runners-up and the four best-ranked third-placed teams – advance to the eighthfinals, while their placement and records determine their positions in the single-elimination bracket as per the combined team ranking system.

The eight winners of the eighthfinals advance to the quarterfinals. The eight losers are eliminated.

The four winners of the quarterfinals advance to the semifinals. The four losers are eliminated.

All eliminated teams’ final standings in the competition, after each phase, will be determined as per the combined team ranking system.

The two winners of the semifinals advance to the gold medal final. The two losers move on to the bronze medal match.