ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule Announced: Tournament Kicks Off February 7 in India and Sri Lanka

Kathmandu. Cricket fans' attention is now focusing on India and Sri Lanka. The International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup 2026 is set to begin on February 7.

The 10th edition of the tournament will feature a total of 54 matches, concluding with the final on March 8.

T20 World Cup 2026 Participating Teams and Group Division

The system of 20 participating teams, implemented from 2024, continues this time as well. However, the ICC has removed Bangladesh from the tournament before it begins. Bangladesh was removed after refusing to travel to India citing security concerns. Scotland has been included in place of Bangladesh.

The 20 teams have been divided into four groups of five teams each:

• Group 'A': India, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan, USA

• Group 'B': Australia, Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe

• Group 'C': England, Italy, Nepal, West Indies, Scotland

• Group 'D': Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

T20 World Cup 2026 Format

The tournament will proceed to the knockout stage after two phases of the group stage. The top two teams from each group will advance to the 'Super-8' stage. The eight teams reaching the Super-8 stage will again be divided into two groups.

The top two teams from the Super-8 stage will reach the semifinals. The two winning teams from the semifinals will contest the final.

Tournament Schedule

• Group Stage: February 7 – 20

• Super-8: February 21 – March 1

• Semifinals: March 4 and 5

• Final: March 8

Match Venues

Matches will be held at five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka. One semifinal and the final venue will depend on whether India qualifies for the semifinal.

If India reaches the semifinal, the second semifinal will be held at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. If Pakistan reaches the semifinal, the match will be held on March 4 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Indian Venues:

1. Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi)

2. Eden Gardens (Kolkata)

3. M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai)

4. Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad)

5. Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai)

Sri Lankan Venues:

1. R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo)

2. Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy)

3. Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo

Full Group Stage Match Schedule (Summary)

February 7 (Saturday)

• Netherlands vs Pakistan – SSC, Colombo

• Scotland vs West Indies – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

• India vs USA – Wankhede, Mumbai

February 8 (Sunday)

• Afghanistan vs New Zealand – Chennai

• England vs Nepal – Wankhede, Mumbai

• Sri Lanka vs Ireland – R. Premadasa, Colombo

February 9

• Scotland vs Italy – Kolkata

• Oman vs Zimbabwe – Colombo

• Canada vs South Africa – Ahmedabad

February 10

• Namibia vs Netherlands – Delhi

• New Zealand vs UAE – Chennai

• Pakistan vs USA – Colombo

February 11

• Afghanistan vs South Africa – Ahmedabad

• Australia vs Ireland – Colombo

• England vs West Indies – Mumbai

February 12

• Sri Lanka vs Oman – Kandy

• Italy vs Nepal – Mumbai

• India vs Namibia – Delhi

February 13

• Australia vs Zimbabwe – Colombo

• Canada vs UAE – Delhi

• Netherlands vs USA – Chennai

February 14

• Ireland vs Oman – Colombo

• Scotland vs England – Kolkata

• New Zealand vs South Africa – Ahmedabad

February 15

• Nepal vs West Indies – Mumbai

• Namibia vs USA – Chennai

• India vs Pakistan – Colombo

February 16

• Afghanistan vs UAE – Delhi

• England vs Italy – Kolkata

• Australia vs Sri Lanka – Kandy

February 17

• Canada vs New Zealand – Chennai

• Ireland vs Zimbabwe – Kandy

• Scotland vs Nepal – Mumbai

February 18

• South Africa vs UAE – Delhi

• Namibia vs Pakistan – Colombo

• India vs Netherlands – Ahmedabad

February 19

• Italy vs West Indies – Kolkata

• Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – Colombo

• Afghanistan vs Canada – Chennai

February 20

• Australia vs Oman – Kandy

Super-8 Stage

Matches will be played at various venues from February 21 to March 1 between the teams qualified from the group stage.

Knockout Stage

• Semifinals: March 4 and 5

• Final: March 8 (Ahmedabad or Colombo)