THE fixtures and group line-ups for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have been confirmed, with the 20-team tournament set to run from 7 February to 8 March across India and Sri Lanka, culminating in a high-profile final in Ahmedabad or Colombo.
The 10th edition of the tournament will open on 7 February, with six teams in action on the first day, including defending champions India. The hosts will begin their title defence against the United States in Mumbai as they attempt to become the first team to successfully retain the Men’s T20 World Cup crown.
Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the tournament will be played over 29 days at eight venues—five in India and three in Sri Lanka. Matches in India will be staged at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Sri Lanka’s venues include the R. Premadasa Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo, as well as the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.
The group stage will feature 40 matches played between 7 and 20 February. The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the Super Eights phase, which begins on 21 February. From there, the top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for Kolkata or Colombo and Mumbai, ahead of the final on 8 March.
In Group A, India are drawn alongside Pakistan, USA, Namibia and the Netherlands. One of the tournament’s marquee fixtures will see India face Pakistan in Colombo on 15 February. Group B includes co-hosts Sri Lanka, former champions Australia, as well as Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.
Group C features two-time champions England and West Indies, joined by Bangladesh, Nepal and debutants Italy. Group D comprises South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
The confirmed groups are:
– Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan
– Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
– Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
– Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
ICC Chairman Jay Shah welcomed the return of the Men’s T20 World Cup to the subcontinent, saying the region’s passion for cricket would ensure a vibrant and memorable tournament. He expressed confidence that all eight venues would provide an electric atmosphere throughout the competition.
ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta said the tournament promises to usher in a new era of global cricketing events, highlighting the format’s unpredictability and the diversity of champions in the competition’s history. With 20 teams from five continents competing, he said the 2026 edition is set to deliver an exciting spectacle for fans worldwide.
Source: ICC Cricket
