Action will take place between June 30 and July 6 with four sports on a preliminary programme.

These are athletics, swimming, table tennis and wheelchair fencing with competitions split into under-23, under-20 and under-17 age groups.

It will be the 12th edition of the Games which were formerly known as the IWAS World Junior Games.

Athletics, table tennis and wheelchair fencing will all be held at the Athlone Institute of Technology, with short-course swimming taking place at the Athlone Regional Sports Centre.

Ireland previously played host in 2006, in capital city Dublin.

"The second edition of the then-called IWAS Junior World Games was hosted in Ireland in 2006 so it is fantastic for the Games to return for the 12th edition this year," said IWAS President Rudi Van Den Abbeele.

"Ireland have always been great supporters of the IWAS World Games programme and with the full support of our member in Ireland, IWA-Sport, we are confident the IWAS Youth World Games 2018 will be a great success and continue the sporting pathway the Games provide internationally."

Nicky Hamill, director of Sport at IWA-Sport, added: "We are delighted to welcome the IWAS Youth World Games to Athlone here in Ireland this summer. 

"The IWAS Games serve as an important stepping stone in the development of young athletes and we look forward to working closely with IWAS to ensure they are delivered to the highest possible standard."