DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the complete schedule and group breakdown for the T20 World Cup 2026, set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
A total of 20 teams will compete in the tournament, split into five groups of four. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Eight, which will subsequently be divided into two groups of four to determine the semifinalists.
India, Pakistan Drawn Together Again
Defending champions India have been placed in one of the most high-profile groups of the event, joining Pakistan, Netherlands, Namibia, and the United States of America (USA). The group guarantees yet another blockbuster India–Pakistan showdown, set for February 15 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Co-hosts Sri Lanka, meanwhile, face a challenging path in a group featuring Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman.
Balanced Groups Across the Tournament
Other notable groupings include:
England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, and Nepal
South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada
Tournament Opens with Double Header
The action begins on February 7, featuring two exciting matches:
Pakistan vs Netherlands in Colombo
India vs USA in Mumbai
Pakistan’s second match, scheduled for February 10, will see them face the USA — a team that stunned them in the 2024 edition. The group stage concludes for the 2009 champions with a fixture against Namibia on February 18, also in Colombo.
The Super Eight round of the tournament will begin on February 21 in Colombo and conclude on March 1 in Kolkata.
The first semi-final will be held on March 3, followed by the second semi-final on March 5, while the grand finale will take place on March 8 in Ahmedabad or Colombo.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 – Group Stage Fixtures
February 7
Pakistan vs Netherlands — Colombo
India vs USA — Mumbai
West Indies vs Bangladesh — Kolkata
February 8
Sri Lanka vs Ireland — Colombo
England vs Nepal — Mumbai
New Zealand vs Afghanistan — Chennai
February 9
Zimbabwe vs Oman — Colombo
South Africa vs Canada — Ahmedabad
Bangladesh vs Italy — Kolkata
February 10
Pakistan vs USA — Colombo
New Zealand vs UAE — Chennai
Netherlands vs Namibia — Delhi
February 11
Australia vs Ireland — Colombo
England vs West Indies — Mumbai
South Africa vs Afghanistan — Ahmedabad
February 12
India vs Namibia — Delhi
Sri Lanka vs Oman — Kandy
Nepal vs Italy — Mumbai
February 13
USA vs Netherlands — Chennai
Australia vs Zimbabwe — Colombo
Canada vs UAE — Delhi
February 14
Ireland vs Oman — Colombo
England vs Bangladesh — Kolkata
New Zealand vs South Africa — Ahmedabad
February 15
USA vs Namibia — Chennai
India vs Pakistan — Colombo
West Indies vs Nepal — Mumbai
February 16
Australia vs Sri Lanka — Kandy
England vs Italy — Kolkata
Afghanistan vs UAE — Delhi
February 17
Bangladesh vs Nepal — Mumbai
New Zealand vs Canada — Chennai
Ireland vs Zimbabwe — Kandy
February 18
Pakistan vs Namibia — Colombo
India vs Netherlands — Ahmedabad
South Africa vs UAE — Delhi
February 19
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe — Colombo
West Indies vs Italy — Kolkata
Afghanistan vs Canada — Chennai
February 20
Australia vs Oman — Kandy
