The cricketing world is buzzing with anticipation as the final preparations for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 fall into place. With the tournament's start next month, defending champions India have become the first team to officially announce their 15-member squad, setting the stage for the global spectacle. Other cricketing giants like Australia and England have also named their provisional squads, adding to the growing excitement.
Tournament Format and Key Details
The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup will be a historic co-hosting venture between India and Sri Lanka. While the majority of the matches will be played across iconic Indian stadiums, all of Pakistan's matches, including potential knockout games, will be held in Sri Lanka. The tournament kicks off on February 7, 2026, with a triple-header, and culminates with the final on March 8, 2026.
Twenty teams have been split into four groups of five. Each side will play four matches in the group stage, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super 8 round. A unique seeding system announced by the ICC will come into effect at the Super 8 stage. Eight pre-seeded teams, including India and Pakistan who are seeded A1 and A2 respectively, will occupy predetermined slots regardless of their group stage finish.
Complete Match Schedule and High-Voltage Clashes
The opening day on February 7 will feature three matches: Pakistan vs Netherlands in Colombo, West Indies vs Bangladesh in Kolkata, and hosts India taking on the USA in Mumbai. The group stage is packed with thrilling encounters, but the most awaited clash is undoubtedly the iconic India vs Pakistan match scheduled for February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
The Super 8 stage begins on February 21, followed by the semi-finals on March 4 and 5. The grand finale will be played on March 8 at either the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad or the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Venues, Squads, and How to Watch
A total of eight world-class venues will host the matches. In India, the games will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), and Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai). The Sri Lankan venues are the R. Premadasa Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo, and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.
India's squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, features stars like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav. Other teams have begun announcing their line-ups, with Afghanistan and Oman also revealing their squads. Australia's provisional squad is led by Mitchell Marsh, while Sri Lanka has announced a preliminary squad under Dasun Shanaka.
For fans in India, Star Sports will be the official broadcaster, telecasting all matches live. The live streaming will be available on the JioStar app and website, ensuring fans don't miss a moment of the action.
With the squads finalizing and the schedule set, the countdown to the T20 World Cup 2026 has truly begun, promising a month-long festival of cricket across the Indian subcontinent.
