KEY POINTS
- Twenty teams will be divided into five groups of four, with top two advancing to the Super Eight.
- Pakistan-India group may also include Netherlands, Namibia, and the USA, with the clash likely in Colombo on February 15.
- Co-host Sri Lanka will face Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman in a tough group.
- The T20 World Cup 2026 runs from February 7 to March 8, with the final likely in Ahmedabad or Colombo.
LAHORE, Pakistan: Cricket fans may see an early Pakistan–India showdown at the T20 World Cup 2026, as both teams are expected to be placed in the same group.
The 20 participating teams will be divided into five groups of four, with the top two from each group moving on to the Super Eight stage. In this round, teams will be split into two more groups of four to decide who reaches the semi-finals.
The group featuring Pakistan and India is likely to also include Netherlands, Namibia, and the USA. The much-anticipated Pakistan-India match could be played at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15, while the full tournament schedule is expected to be announced on November 25.
Co-host Sri Lanka will face a tougher challenge in a group with Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman. Other groups include England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, and Nepal, while the final group features South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada.
The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup will run from February 7 to March 8, 2026, with the final likely in Ahmedabad or Colombo, depending on whether Pakistan qualifies, as India and Pakistan are not playing bilateral cricket due to political tensions.
Qualified Teams:
Hosts: India, Sri Lanka
Super Eight (2024 T20 WC): Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies, USA
ICC Rankings: Pakistan, New Zealand, Ireland
Regional Qualifiers: Canada (Americas), Netherlands and Italy (Europe), Namibia and Zimbabwe (Africa), Nepal, Oman, UAE (Asia-EAP)
