The ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026 is almost here. Before things get serious, 16 teams will hit the field for warm-up matches, just to shake off the nerves and get a feel for the conditions. These games run from January 9 to 14, scattered across Zimbabwe and Namibia.
This year marks the 16th time the U19 World Cup takes place. Australia holds the trophy after their 2024 win over India. The real action gets underway on January 15, with the final set for February 6, 2026.
Why Warm-up Matches Matter
Warm-up games matter a lot for young cricketers. They give players a chance to get a feel for the pitch and see what they’re up against. Teams can try out different game plans before things get serious. It’s not just about strategy, either—kids get used to new time zones and weather, which is enormous when you’re traveling for the first time. Coaches watch closely to see who’s in good shape and who needs work. For plenty of these players, it’s their first big international stage. No one’s worried about the scoreboard yet, so teams get to settle in, shake off nerves, and start playing together without all the pressure.
Host Countries and Venues
Zimbabwe and Namibia will jointly host the warm-up matches and the main tournament. This marks a historic moment for African cricket.
Venues for Warm-up Matches
| City | Country | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Harare | Zimbabwe | Capital city, main cricket hub |
| Bulawayo | Zimbabwe | Second-largest city |
| Masvingo | Zimbabwe | Historic city in the southeast |
| Windhoek | Namibia | Capital of Namibia |
Main Tournament Venues
| Venue | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Harare Sports Club | Harare | Zimbabwe |
| Takashinga Sports Club | Harare | Zimbabwe |
| Queens Sports Club | Bulawayo | Zimbabwe |
| Namibia Cricket Ground | Windhoek | Namibia |
| HP Oval | Windhoek | Namibia |
The final will take place at Harare Sports Club on February 6, 2026. Zimbabwe will host 25 matches, including both semi-finals and the final. Namibia will host 16 fixtures.
Complete Warm-up Match Schedule
All matches start at 9:30 AM local time (7:30 AM GMT/1:00 PM IST).
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Jan 9 | England U19 vs New Zealand U19 | Harare |
| Saturday, Jan 10 | Bangladesh U19 vs Pakistan U19 | Masvingo |
| Saturday, Jan 10 | India U19 vs Scotland U19 | Bulawayo |
| Saturday, Jan 10 | Zimbabwe U19 vs USA U19 | Harare |
| Saturday, Jan 10 | Ireland U19 vs West Indies U19 | Windhoek |
| Saturday, Jan 10 | Japan U19 vs Tanzania U19 | Windhoek |
| Sunday, Jan 11 | Afghanistan U19 vs Australia U19 | Windhoek |
| Sunday, Jan 11 | Sri Lanka U19 vs South Africa U19 | Windhoek |
| Monday, Jan 12 | Zimbabwe U19 vs New Zealand U19 | Masvingo |
| Monday, Jan 12 | England U19 vs India U19 | Bulawayo |
| Tuesday, Jan 13 | Pakistan U19 vs USA U19 | Bulawayo |
| Tuesday, Jan 13 | Bangladesh U19 vs Scotland U19 | Harare |
| Tuesday, Jan 13 | Ireland U19 vs Tanzania U19 | Windhoek |
| Tuesday, Jan 13 | Japan U19 vs West Indies U19 | Windhoek |
| Wednesday, Jan 14 | Afghanistan U19 vs Sri Lanka U19 | Windhoek |
| Wednesday, Jan 14 | Australia U19 vs South Africa U19 | Windhoek |
All 16 Participating Teams
Here are the Teams that are participating:
- India
- Australia
- Pakistan
- England
- Bangladesh
- South Africa
- West Indies
- Sri Lanka
- New Zealand
- Zimbabwe
- Afghanistan
- Ireland
- Scotland
- USA
- Japan
- Tanzania
Traditional Cricket Powers
Here is the list of traditional cricket powers:
| Team | U19 World Cup Titles | Best Performance |
|---|---|---|
| India | 5 (2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2022) | Most successful team |
| Australia | 4 (1988, 2002, 2010, 2024) | Defending champions |
| Pakistan | 2 (2004, 2006) | Only team to win back-to-back |
| England | 1 (1998) | Winners in South Africa |
| Bangladesh | 1 (2020) | First ICC title for the country |
| South Africa | 1 (2014) | Unbeaten run to title |
| West Indies | 1 (2016) | Maiden title in Bangladesh |
| Sri Lanka | 0 | Runners-up twice |
| New Zealand | 0 | Runners-up once |
Key Warm-Up Matches to Watch
Here are the key warm-up matches that are really going to be exciting to watch:
1. England U19 vs India U19 (January 12, Bulawayo)
This match brings together two cricket giants. Both nations have strong youth development programs. India has won five U19 World Cups, while England won in 1998. Many stars from both countries started their careers at this level.
2. Australia U19 vs South Africa U19 (January 14, Windhoek)
The defending champions face the 2014 winners. Australia won the 2024 title by beating India. South Africa has produced talent such as Kagiso Rabada and Aiden Markram through its U19 setup.
3. Bangladesh U19 vs Pakistan U19 (January 10, Masvingo)
A classic Asian rivalry at the youth level. Bangladesh won their first ICC title at any level in the 2020 U19 World Cup. Pakistan remains the only team to win back-to-back titles (2004, 2006).
4. Japan U19 vs Tanzania U19 (January 10, Windhoek)
This match shows cricket’s global growth. Tanzania makes its tournament debut in 2026. Japan returns after playing in the 2020 edition. Both teams represent cricket’s expansion beyond traditional nations.
5. Afghanistan U19 vs Australia U19 (January 11, Windhoek)
Afghanistan’s cricket growth continues to impress the world. They face the defending champions in what could be a great contest. This match tests both teams before the main event.
Tournament Format
Group Stage (January 15-24)
- 16 teams split into 4 groups of 4
- Each team plays 3 matches
- The top 3 teams from each group advance
Super Six Stage (January 25 onwards)
- The top 3 from Groups A and D form one group
- The top 3 from Groups B and C form another group
- Teams carry forward points from the group stage
Knockout Stage
- Two semi-finals
- Final at Harare Sports Club on February 6
Total Matches
- 41 matches over 23 days
- All matches played in a 50-over format
Tournament Ambassador
Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu serves as the tournament ambassador. He played in the U19 World Cup himself and went on to make 195 appearances for Zimbabwe across all formats. His journey from youth cricket to becoming one of Zimbabwe’s greats will inspire the next generation.
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Looking Ahead
The warm-up matches wrap up on January 14, 2026. Right after that, the main tournament kicks off with three games: India takes on the USA, Zimbabwe faces Scotland, and Tanzania meets West Indies. That last one’s a big deal—Tanzania’s playing their very first match at this level, and it’s a huge moment for African cricket.
The tournament runs through February 6, ending with the final at Harare Sports Club.
If you’re a cricket fan, the ICC U19 World Cup Warm-up Matches 2026 are where you catch the next big names before anyone else. From January 9 to 14, young players from 16 countries battle it out in Zimbabwe and Namibia. These warm-ups aren’t just practice—they give you a first look at future stars, the kind who might one day be as big as Virat Kohli or Steve Smith.
