Exciting Details Unveiled for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026
Overview of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026
The 10th edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is set to kick off on February 7, 2026, featuring a total of 20 teams. The tournament will culminate with the final match on March 8. On the inaugural day, six teams will compete, including the defending champions, India, who will face the USA in Mumbai as they aim to retain their title.
Tournament Format and Venues
This 20-team tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka over a span of 29 days, utilizing eight venues—five in India and three in Sri Lanka. The venues include:
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, Colombo
- Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
From February 7 to 20, a total of 40 group matches will take place, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super Eights phase starting February 21. The four leading teams from this stage will then move on to the knockout rounds, with semi-finals scheduled in Kolkata/Colombo and Mumbai, leading to the final in Ahmedabad/Colombo on March 8.
Group Stage Breakdown
Group A
Group A features India, the USA, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Namibia. India will face Pakistan in Colombo on February 15.
Group B
In Group B, Sri Lanka is joined by 2021 champions Australia, along with Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman.
Group C
Group C includes two-time champions England and the West Indies, alongside newcomers Italy and Asian teams Bangladesh and Nepal.
Group D
Group D consists of New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, and the UAE.
ICC Officials' Remarks on the Event
ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed excitement about the tournament returning to the subcontinent, stating, "It is wonderful to welcome the ICC Men's T20 World Cup back to the subcontinent so soon after a groundbreaking Women's Cricket World Cup. The passion for cricket in this region is unmatched, and fans have been waiting eagerly for another global spectacle."
He added, "The announcement of the fixtures brings us a step closer, and I have no doubt that the five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka will be alive with energy throughout the tournament."
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta remarked, "The ICC Men's T20 World Cup is expected to usher in a new era of global, marquee Cricketing events, both in terms of the athletic spectacle and fan experiences on offer. With 20 teams from five continents vying for the title in Cricket's most unpredictable format, this promises to be a feast for Cricket fans around the world."