The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially unveiled the full schedule for the much-anticipated ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026. The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe, is set to commence on January 15, 2026, and culminate with the final on February 6, 2026.
India's Road in the Group Stage
The Indian colts, perennial powerhouses in youth cricket, have been placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, the United States of America (USA), and New Zealand. The 'Boys in Blue' will begin their quest for the trophy by locking horns with the USA on January 15, 2026. They will then face a crucial clash against Asian rivals Bangladesh on January 17, 2026, before rounding off their group stage campaign against New Zealand on January 24, 2026.
All of India's group matches will be held at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, providing a consistent venue for the young squad.
Tournament Format and Global Participation
The competition will feature 16 teams, initially divided into four groups of four. A total of 41 matches will be played across 23 action-packed days. This edition marks a significant milestone for Tanzania, who will be making their debut in the tournament. It also welcomes back Japan, who last participated in the 2020 edition.
The group composition is as follows:
- Group A: India, Bangladesh, USA, New Zealand
- Group B: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, Scotland
- Group C: Australia (defending champions), Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka
- Group D: Tanzania, West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa
Path to the Trophy: Super Six and Knockouts
Following the initial group stage, the top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six phase. These twelve qualifying teams will then be split into two new groups of six. The intense battle for the championship will then move into the knockout stage, featuring two semi-finals and the grand final.
The ICC has confirmed that reserve days will be in place for the two semi-finals and the final, ensuring a fair conclusion to the tournament regardless of weather disruptions. The first semi-final is scheduled for February 3 at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, with the second semi-final on February 4 at Harare Sports Club. The ultimate showdown, the final, will be held at the Harare Sports Club on February 6, 2026.
Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly waiting to see which nation's future stars will rise to the occasion and claim the coveted U-19 World Cup trophy.
