The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 marks the tenth edition of the tournament and returns to South Asia after the 2024 event in the West Indies and the USA. India and Sri Lanka co-host the competition from February 7 to March 8.
India enters as defending champion after beating South Africa by seven runs in Barbados. The format remains identical to 2024, with 20 teams divided into four groups of five.
Italy qualifies for its first World Cup while established powers like England, Australia, and Pakistan return. The tournament spans 55 matches across eight venues in both nations.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Timeline & Venue
The tournament begins February 7 with Pakistan facing the Netherlands in Colombo, while India opens against the USA at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Group stages run until February 20, before the Super 8 phase from February 21 to March 1. Semi-finals take place on March 4 and 5, with the final on March 8 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, unless Pakistan qualifies, which shifts it to Colombo.
Groups & Teams Of The ICC T20 World Cup 2026
The ICC announced groups and fixtures on November 25 at an event in Mumbai featuring Jay Shah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Harmanpreet Kaur.
Italy becomes the 25th different nation to qualify for the tournament since 2007. All Group B matches will be played exclusively in Sri Lankan venues.
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Australia | England | South Africa |
| USA | Sri Lanka | West Indies | New Zealand |
| Namibia | Zimbabwe | Bangladesh | Afghanistan |
| Netherlands | Ireland | Italy | Canada |
| Pakistan | Oman | Nepal | UAE |
Italy qualified for their first World Cup by edging Jersey on net run rate despite losing to the Netherlands by nine wickets in the Europe Qualifier final. Ben Manenti scored 30, and Grant Stewart added 25 as Italy posted 134 for seven.
They needed to avoid a heavy defeat and stretched the Dutch chase to 16.2 overs. Jersey shocked Scotland with a one-wicket victory off the final ball but missed out on qualification.
Former Australian Test batsman Joe Burns captains Italy through his mother’s Italian heritage. England Lions player Emilio Gay features in the squad alongside players who moved from India and Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan reached their first semi-final at the 2024 World Cup, thrashing New Zealand by 84 runs. The USA made history by reaching the Super Eight stage in 2024 after victories against Canada and Pakistan.
Group D shapes up as the toughest with South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan together. Australia and Sri Lanka meet in Group B while India and Pakistan clash on February 15 in Colombo.
England face Italy on February 16 in what will be the Italians’ third match of the tournament. Nepal qualified through the Asia Qualifier after defeating UAE and Qatar.
Bangladesh struggled in 2024, losing a series to the USA before the World Cup. Zimbabwe and Namibia secured their places after reaching the finals of the Africa Qualifiers in October 2025. West Indies recently swept South Africa 3-0 in a home T20I series.
Oman qualified alongside Nepal from the Asia region. Canada took the lone Americas spot, while the Netherlands joined Italy from Europe.
Full Schedule Of The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup
The world’s largest cricket venue, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, has been earmarked to host the final. Five Indian cities host matches at Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai.
Sri Lanka uses Colombo’s two grounds plus Pallekele Stadium in Kandy. Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka per the BCCI-PCB neutral venue agreement.
| Date | Time (GMT) | Group / Stage | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 7 | 5:30 AM | Group A | Pakistan vs Netherlands | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club |
| Feb 7 | 9:30 AM | Group C | West Indies vs Bangladesh | Kolkata, Eden Gardens |
| Feb 7 | 1:30 PM | Group A | India vs United States of America | Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium |
| Feb 8 | 5:30 AM | Group D | New Zealand vs Afghanistan | Chennai, MA Chidambaram Stadium |
| Feb 8 | 9:30 AM | Group C | England vs Nepal | Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium |
| Feb 8 | 1:30 PM | Group B | Sri Lanka vs Ireland | Colombo, R.Premadasa Stadium |
| Feb 9 | 5:30 AM | Group C | Bangladesh vs Italy | Kolkata, Eden Gardens |
| Feb 9 | 9:30 AM | Group B | Zimbabwe vs Oman | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club |
| Feb 9 | 1:30 PM | Group D | South Africa vs Canada | Ahmedabad, Narendra Modi Stadium |
| Feb 10 | 5:30 AM | Group A | Netherlands vs Namibia | Delhi, Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| Feb 10 | 9:30 AM | Group D | New Zealand vs United Arab Emirates | Chennai, MA Chidambaram Stadium |
| Feb 10 | 1:30 PM | Group A | Pakistan vs United States of America | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club |
| Feb 11 | 5:30 AM | Group D | South Africa vs Afghanistan | Ahmedabad, Narendra Modi Stadium |
| Feb 11 | 9:30 AM | Group B | Australia vs Ireland | Colombo, R.Premadasa Stadium |
| Feb 11 | 1:30 PM | Group C | England vs West Indies | Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium |
| Feb 12 | 5:30 AM | Group B | Sri Lanka vs Oman | Pallekele, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium |
| Feb 12 | 9:30 AM | Group C | Nepal vs Italy | Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium |
| Feb 12 | 1:30 PM | Group A | India vs Namibia | Delhi, Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| Feb 13 | 5:30 AM | Group B | Australia vs Zimbabwe | Colombo, R.Premadasa Stadium |
| Feb 13 | 9:30 AM | Group D | Canada vs United Arab Emirates | Delhi, Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| Feb 13 | 1:30 PM | Group A | United States of America vs Netherlands | Chennai, MA Chidambaram Stadium |
| Feb 14 | 5:30 AM | Group B | Ireland vs Oman | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club |
| Feb 14 | 9:30 AM | Group C | England vs Bangladesh | Kolkata, Eden Gardens |
| Feb 14 | 1:30 PM | Group D | New Zealand vs South Africa | Ahmedabad, Narendra Modi Stadium |
| Feb 15 | 5:30 AM | Group C | West Indies vs Nepal | Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium |
| Feb 15 | 9:30 AM | Group A | United States of America vs Namibia | Chennai, MA Chidambaram Stadium |
| Feb 15 | 1:30 PM | Group A | India vs Pakistan | Colombo, R.Premadasa Stadium |
| Feb 16 | 5:30 AM | Group D | Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates | Delhi, Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| Feb 16 | 9:30 AM | Group C | England vs Italy | Kolkata, Eden Gardens |
| Feb 16 | 1:30 PM | Group B | Australia vs Sri Lanka | Pallekele, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium |
| Feb 17 | 5:30 AM | Group D | New Zealand vs Canada | Chennai, MA Chidambaram Stadium |
| Feb 17 | 9:30 AM | Group B | Ireland vs Zimbabwe | Pallekele, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium |
| Feb 17 | 1:30 PM | Group C | Bangladesh vs Nepal | Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium |
| Feb 18 | 5:30 AM | Group D | South Africa vs United Arab Emirates | Delhi, Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| Feb 18 | 9:30 AM | Group A | Pakistan vs Namibia | Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club |
| Feb 18 | 1:30 PM | Group A | India vs Netherlands | Ahmedabad, Narendra Modi Stadium |
| Feb 19 | 5:30 AM | Group C | West Indies vs Italy | Kolkata, Eden Gardens |
| Feb 19 | 9:30 AM | Group B | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Colombo, R.Premadasa Stadium |
| Feb 19 | 1:30 PM | Group D | Afghanistan vs Canada | Chennai, MA Chidambaram Stadium |
| Feb 20 | 1:30 PM | Group B | Australia vs Oman | Pallekele, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium |
| Feb 21 | 1:30 PM | Super 8 Group 2 (Y2 v Y3) | TBC vs TBC | Colombo, R.Premadasa Stadium |
| Feb 22 | 9:30 AM | Super 8 Group 2 (Y1 v Y4) | TBC vs TBC | Pallekele, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium |
| Feb 22 | 1:30 PM | Super 8 Group 1 (X1 v X4) | TBC vs TBC | Ahmedabad, Narendra Modi Stadium |
| Feb 23 | 1:30 PM | Super 8 Group 1 (X2 v X3) | TBC vs TBC | Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium |
| Feb 24 | 1:30 PM | Super 8 Group 2 (Y1 v Y3) | TBC vs TBC | Pallekele, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium |
| Feb 25 | 1:30 PM | Super 8 Group 2 (Y2 v Y4) | TBC vs TBC | Colombo, R.Premadasa Stadium |
| Feb 26 | 9:30 AM | Super 8 Group 1 (X3 v X4) | TBC vs TBC | Ahmedabad, Narendra Modi Stadium |
| Feb 26 | 1:30 PM | Super 8 Group 1 (X1 v X2) | TBC vs TBC | Chennai, MA Chidambaram Stadium |
| Feb 27 | 1:30 PM | Super 8 Group 2 (Y1 v Y2) | TBC vs TBC | Colombo, R.Premadasa Stadium |
| Feb 28 | 1:30 PM | Super 8 Group 2 (Y3 v Y4) | TBC vs TBC | Pallekele, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium |
| Mar 1 | 9:30 AM | Super 8 Group 1 (X2 v X4) | TBC vs TBC | Delhi, Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| Mar 1 | 1:30 PM | Super 8 Group 1 (X1 v X3) | TBC vs TBC | Kolkata, Eden Gardens |
| Mar 4 | 1:30 PM | Semi Final 1 | TBC vs TBC | TBC, TBC |
| Mar 5 | 1:30 PM | Semi Final 2 | TBC vs TBC | Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium |
| Mar 8 | 1:30 PM | Final | TBC vs TBC | TBC, TBC |
The tournament follows a pre-determined seeding system for the Super 8 stage. India, England, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka received seeds based on ICC rankings as of July 25, 2025.
Teams that qualify from their respective groups replace any seeded team that fails to advance. The first semi-final takes place at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo if Pakistan qualifies, or Eden Gardens in Kolkata if not.
Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium hosts the second semi-final on March 5. If India meets Pakistan in the semi-finals, that match shifts to Colombo while Mumbai hosts the other fixture.
Where To Watch The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup?
Sky Sports broadcasts the tournament in the UK through 2031 per their direct ICC partnership. Streaming is available through Sky Go and NOW TV platforms without contracts. BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra provides audio commentary.
Star Sports Network handles television coverage in India while JioHotstar manages digital streaming. Other broadcasters include SuperSport for sub-Saharan Africa, ESPN for the Caribbean, and Willow TV for North America.
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Conclusion: The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Runs February 7 To March 8 Across India And Sri Lanka!
The tournament brings together 20 nations across 55 matches in what promises to be a month of intense cricket. Italy makes its historic debut while traditional powers seek to dethrone defending champions India.
The Super 8 format ensures only the best teams reach the knockout stages. Pakistan’s neutral venue arrangement means all their fixtures take place in Sri Lanka, potentially including the final if they reach it.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad can hold over 130,000 spectators for the final, should Pakistan not qualify. The tournament also serves as preparation for cricket’s Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Six different teams have won the trophy in nine previous editions, demonstrating how competitive T20 cricket has become. England won in 2010 and 2022, India claimed titles in 2007 and 2024, while the West Indies lifted the trophy in 2012 and 2016.
FAQs
The first semi-final takes place at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo or Eden Gardens in Kolkata, depending on Pakistan’s qualification. Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai hosts the second semi-final. The final is held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Scotland lost to Jersey by one wicket off the final ball in the Europe Qualifier. Jersey needed that victory to have any chance at qualification. Despite Jersey winning, Italy advanced on a superior net run rate after both teams finished with five points.
The tournament uses a five-step tiebreaker system. Points come first, followed by number of wins. If still tied, the net run rate decides the ranking.
Virat Kohli announced his T20I retirement immediately after India won the 2024 final in Barbados. Rohit Sharma also stepped away from the format following the victory. Ravindra Jadeja made the same decision.
Asian teams won four of the nine previous editions. India claimed titles in 2007 and 2024. Pakistan won in 2009. Sri Lanka lifted the trophy in 2014. West Indies leads with two championships, while England also has two. Australia won once in 2021.
