| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | Argentina |
| Dates | 2–22 May |
| Teams | 11 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  Brazil (4th title) |
| Runners-up |  Colombia |
| Third place |  Argentina |
| Fourth place |  Paraguay |
← 1987 1991 → | |
The South American Youth Championship 1988 was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It also served as qualification for the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship.