under19

Under19, also written as Under-19, is a youth designation used in many sports to describe competitions and teams composed primarily of players who are eighteen years old or younger, or who meet a defined under-19 age cutoff. The exact eligibility criteria are set by the governing body of the sport or the competition and can vary by country, confederation, or season.

In football (soccer), the Under-19 category is widely used at club and national levels. National under-19 teams compete in regional qualifiers and final tournaments; examples include the UEFA European Under-19 Championship. Clubs often run under-19 squads and leagues to develop players who may progress to the senior team. Other sports also use under-19 divisions or championships, including basketball and rugby, where world or regional tournaments are staged for players in this age group.

Eligibility rules typically hinge on an age cut-off date, such as players being born on or after a specified date to qualify for a given season or tournament. Some competitions allow players who turn 19 during the season to participate, depending on the governing body's rules. The format can include group stages, knockout rounds, and age-restricted rosters.

The under-19 category serves to identify and develop young talent, provide competitive experience for players transitioning to higher levels, and create a structured pathway from youth academies to professional or senior national teams. It coexists with other youth divisions (e.g., under-17 and under-21) and with senior competition, forming a ladder within each sport.