This year the regulations of the AFA Under 19 Tournament had an important modification: there will no longer be players over 23 years old in any of the matches.
Unlike previous years, in which up to three under-23 players were allowed to play per match in the First Division squad, starting in 2026 only up to three under-20 players will be able to play.
The Under 19 tournament will not be able to have under 23 players starting this year (Photo: banfieldfutfemformativo)
"The minimum number of players to register will be 20 and the maximum will be 30, whose minimum age will be 14 years and the maximum will be 19 years old by 12/31/2026," says article 7.3 of the regulations for this 2026 and adds: "A maximum of three (3) players from the Good Faith list of the 1st Category may be registered, which at 12-31-2026 they are no more than 20 years old (Category 2006)".
In this way, footballers who are part of the First Division squad and are over 20 years old will no longer be able to participate in any match with the Under 19 team, as occurred in previous editions.
Regarding the beginning of the season, the contest will begin on the weekend of March 22 and the participating teams will be the 16 that are part of the First Division Tournament, plus five guests from the First B: Estudiantes de la Plata, Vélez, UAI Urquiza, Rosario Central and Platense.
The contest will be a single-wheel all-against-all system and whoever finishes in first position will be crowned champion.