The World Youth Team Championships are held every two years. From 1997 – 2005 they were held in the odd-numbered years. This changed to the even numbered years from 2006 – 2018, then following the Covid Pandemic it was decided that the Championships should once again be held in the odd numbered years, re-starting in 2023.

The event comprises four Championships for which the Zonal Youth Teams Championships act as qualifying events and an invitation event for U-16 teams as well as an invitation event for U-31 teams, introduced in 2020.

The events are as follows:

The World U-26 Teams for the Jaime Ortiz-Patiño Trophy. This Championship is for Junior players who must not have achieved their 25th birthday by 31st December of the year prior to the year in which the competition is to take place

The World U-21 Teams for the José Damiani Cup. This Championship is for players who must not have achieved their 20th birthday by 31st December of the year prior to the year in which the competition is to take place.

The World Women’s U-26 Teams Championship for the Gianarrigo Rona Trophy and this Championship is also for players who must not have achieved their 25th birthday by 31st December of the year prior to the year in which the competition is to take place.

The World U-16 Teams Championship for the Koç University Trophy. This Championship is for players who must not have achieved their 15th birthday by 31st December of the year prior to the year in which the competition is to take place.

The World U-31 Teams Championship, for the Howes Trophy was introduced in 2020 but owing to the Pandemic the first time it was played was in 2023. It is for players who must not have achieved their 30th birthday by 31st December of the year prior to the year in which the competition is to take place.

The number of teams to qualify in each category for a specific year will be listed on the Championship site for that event.