The full schedule for the ICC T20 World Cup next year has been unveiled, starting with the opening match on February 7, 2026, and concluding with the final on March 8. An exciting lineup awaits as 20 teams compete, with India defending its championship title. In this World Cup, India and Pakistan share the same group, with their first showdown on February 15. All 20 participating teams are divided into four groups with 5 teams each.
India's Scheduled Matches
India's World Cup campaign kicks off against the USA on February 7. The second match is against Namibia on February 12, followed by the high-stakes India vs. Pakistan match on February 15. The final group stage match for Team India is against the Netherlands on February 18.
Group A consists of India, Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands, and the United States. Group B includes Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman. Group C has England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, and Nepal. Meanwhile, Group D features New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada.
Eight Venues to Host the World Cup
Jay Shah announced that the tournament will be played across 8 venues, with 5 in India and 3 in Sri Lanka. The matches will be hosted at:
India
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Sri Lanka
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy.
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo.
Complete Schedule of the ICC T20 World Cup
The tournament begins with India facing the United States on February 7, featuring three matches on the opening day. The semi-finals are scheduled for March 4 and 5, and the grand finale will occur on March 8.
T20 World Cup Winners Over the Years
Year
Winner
2007 – India 2009 – Pakistan 2010 – England 2012 – West Indies 2014 – Sri Lanka 2016 – West Indies 2021 – Australia 2022 – England 2024 – India
A Tournament with 20 Teams for the Second Time
The 2026 T20 World Cup will once again feature 20 teams, following the ICC's agenda to promote cricket globally. Previously, Team India clinched the title under Rohit Sharma's captaincy by defeating South Africa.
Teams for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026
India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, UAE.
