The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the official match schedule for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe from 15 January to 6 February.
A total of 16 teams will compete in 41 matches, with the tournament culminating in the final at Harare Sports Club on 6 February.
The opening fixtures feature India against the USA, Zimbabwe against Scotland, and Tanzania—making their historic tournament debut—taking on the West Indies. Matches will be staged across five venues: Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Sports Club and Queens Sports Club in Zimbabwe, and the Namibia Cricket Ground and HP Oval in Windhoek.
The tournament will follow the traditional format of four groups of four, progressing to a Super Six phase, followed by the semi-finals and final.
Defending champions Australia begin their campaign against Ireland on day two in Windhoek, while one of the early standout fixtures will see India face Bangladesh on 17 January in Bulawayo.
Ten teams qualified automatically based on their 2024 performance, joining hosts Zimbabwe. The remaining five teams secured their places through regional qualifiers, underscoring the global expansion of the U19 cricket pathway.
ICC Chairperson Jay Shah said the event continues to serve as a platform for future international stars.
“The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has long been the cradle of greatness… From Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya to Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, the event has consistently shaped the future of our sport,” Shah said.
He added that the 2026 edition would offer young players “a world-class platform that mirrors the standards and pressures of senior international cricket,” and welcomed Tanzania as debut participants.
The ICC also released the warm-up and tournament fixtures, with all main matches scheduled.
Source: International Cricket Council (ICC)
Tournament schedule:
15 January, USA v India, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
15 January, Zimbabwe v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
15 January, Tanzania v West Indies, HP Oval, Windhoek
16 January, Pakistan v England, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
16 January, Australia v Ireland, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
16 January, Afghanistan v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek
17 January, India v Bangladesh, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
17 January, Japan v Sri Lanka, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
18 January, New Zealand v USA, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
18 January, England v Zimbabwe, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
18 January, West Indies v Afghanistan, HP Oval, Windhoek
19 January, Pakistan v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
19 January, Sri Lanka v Ireland, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
19 January, South Africa v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek
20 January, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
20 January, Australia v Japan, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
21 January, England v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
21 January, Afghanistan v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek
22 January, Zimbabwe v Pakistan, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
22 January, Ireland v Japan, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
22 January, West Indies v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek
23 January, Bangladesh v USA, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
23 January, Sri Lanka v Australia, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
24 January, India v New Zealand, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
24 January, A4 v D4, HP Oval, Windhoek
25 January, Super Six A1 v D3, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
25 January, Super Six D2 v A3, HP Oval, Windhoek
26 January, B4 v C4, Harare Sports Club, Harare
26 January, Super Six C1 v B2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
26 January, Super Six D1 v A2, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
27 January, Super Six C2 v B3, Harare Sports Club, Harare
27 January, Super Six C3 v B1, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
28 January, Super Six, A1 v D2, Harare Sports Club, Harare
29 January, Super Six D3 v A2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
30 January, Super Six D1 v A3, Harare Sports Club, Harare
30 January, Super Six B3 v C1, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
31 January, Super Six B2 v C3, Harare Sports Club, Harare
01 February, Super Six B1 v C2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
03 February, First semi-final, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
04 February, Second semi-final, Harare Sports Club, Harare
06 February, Final, Harare Sports Club, Harare
Source: International Cricket Council (ICC)
