KEY POINTS
- Tournament to run from 15 Jan to 6 Feb 2026 across Zimbabwe and Namibia with 41 matches.
- Top three teams from each group to progress to Super Six phase before semi-finals and final.
- ICC Chairman Jay Shah hails U19 World Cup as a platform that shapes future global cricket stars.
ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule and group lineup for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, set to take place from 15 January to 6 February across Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The tournament, last held in 2024, will feature 16 teams competing in 41 matches over 23 days.
The event will follow its traditional format, with four groups of four teams each in the opening stage. The tournament will kick off with India facing the USA, Zimbabwe taking on Scotland, and Tanzania meeting the West Indies.
Tanzania will be making their maiden appearance, while Japan returns after last competing in 2020.
The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six phase, forming two groups of six before the competition heads into the knockout stage, which includes two semi-finals and a final. All knockout matches have reserve days allotted.
Matches will be hosted at leading venues across the two countries, including Harare Sports Club and Takashinga Sports Club in Harare, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, and Namibia Cricket Ground and HP Oval in Windhoek.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming edition, calling the U19 World Cup “a cradle of greatness,” with a legacy of producing global stars such as Brian Lara, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Shubman Gill. He also highlighted the significance of Tanzania’s debut on the world stage.
Teams are scheduled to arrive on 8 January, with warm-up fixtures set from 9 to 14 January.
Tournament Groups
Group A: India, Bangladesh, USA, New Zealand
Group B: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, Scotland
Group C: Australia, Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka
Group D: Tanzania, West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa
