The excitement for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is now at its peak as the official schedule has been disclosed. The tournament will be taking place from 7 February to 8 March 2026, which is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
With 20 teams competing in eight different stadiums, the tournament will offer thrilling matches and strong rivalries. One of the biggest highlights is the India vs Pakistan match, which will take place on 15 February in Colombo.
Tournament Format and Group Breakdown
The 20 teams have been divided into four groups, and the top teams will advance to the Super Eight stage before the knockouts. This format ensures competitive cricket from the very beginning.
India and Pakistan placed in Group A
- Group A: India, Pakistan, United States, Namibia, Netherlands
- Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
- Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy
- Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada
Group A naturally stands out because it includes India and Pakistan, guaranteeing one of the most watched matches of the tournament.
Complete Fixtures for the T20 World Cup 2026
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 2026 | Pakistan vs Netherlands | SSC, Colombo |
| 7 Feb 2026 | West Indies vs Bangladesh | Kolkata |
| 7 Feb 2026 | India vs USA | Mumbai |
| 8 Feb 2026 | New Zealand vs Afghanistan | Chennai |
| 8 Feb 2026 | England vs Nepal | Mumbai |
| 8 Feb 2026 | Sri Lanka vs Ireland | Premadasa, Colombo |
| 9 Feb 2026 | Bangladesh vs Italy | Kolkata |
| 9 Feb 2026 | Zimbabwe vs Oman | SSC, Colombo |
| 9 Feb 2026 | South Africa vs Canada | Ahmedabad |
| 10 Feb 2026 | Netherlands vs Namibia | Delhi |
| 10 Feb 2026 | New Zealand vs UAE | Chennai |
| 10 Feb 2026 | Pakistan vs USA | SSC, Colombo |
| 11 Feb 2026 | South Africa vs Afghanistan | Ahmedabad |
| 11 Feb 2026 | Australia vs Ireland | Premadasa, Colombo |
| 11 Feb 2026 | England vs West Indies | Mumbai |
| 12 Feb 2026 | Sri Lanka vs Oman | Kandy |
| 12 Feb 2026 | Nepal vs Italy | Mumbai |
| 12 Feb 2026 | India vs Namibia | Delhi |
| 13 Feb 2026 | Australia vs Zimbabwe | Premadasa, Colombo |
| 13 Feb 2026 | Canada vs UAE | Delhi |
| 13 Feb 2026 | USA vs Netherlands | Chennai |
| 14 Feb 2026 | Ireland vs Oman | SSC, Colombo |
| 14 Feb 2026 | England vs Bangladesh | Kolkata |
| 14 Feb 2026 | New Zealand vs South Africa | Ahmedabad |
| 15 Feb 2026 | West Indies vs Nepal | Mumbai |
| 15 Feb 2026 | USA vs Namibia | Chennai |
| 15 Feb 2026 | India vs Pakistan | Premadasa, Colombo |
| 16 Feb 2026 | Afghanistan vs UAE | Delhi |
| 16 Feb 2026 | England vs Italy | Kolkata |
| 16 Feb 2026 | Australia vs Sri Lanka | Kandy |
| 17 Feb 2026 | New Zealand vs Canada | Chennai |
| 17 Feb 2026 | Ireland vs Zimbabwe | Kandy |
| 17 Feb 2026 | Bangladesh vs Nepal | Mumbai |
| 18 Feb 2026 | South Africa vs UAE | Delhi |
| 18 Feb 2026 | Pakistan vs Namibia | SSC, Colombo |
| 18 Feb 2026 | India vs Netherlands | Ahmedabad |
| 19 Feb 2026 | West Indies vs Italy | Kolkata |
| 19 Feb 2026 | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Premadasa, Colombo |
| 19 Feb 2026 | Afghanistan vs Canada | Chennai |
| 20 Feb 2026 | Australia vs Oman | Kandy |
| 21 Feb 2026 | Y2 vs Y3 | Premadasa, Colombo |
| 22 Feb 2026 | Y1 vs Y4 | Kandy |
| 22 Feb 2026 | X1 vs X4 | Ahmedabad |
| 23 Feb 2026 | X2 vs X3 | Mumbai |
| 24 Feb 2026 | Y1 vs Y3 | Kandy |
| 25 Feb 2026 | Y2 vs Y4 | Premadasa, Colombo |
| 26 Feb 2026 | X3 vs X1 | Ahmedabad |
| 27 Feb 2026 | Y1 vs X4 | Premadasa, Colombo |
| 27 Feb 2026 | X2 vs Y2 | Chennai |
| 28 Feb 2026 | Y3 vs Y4 | Kandy |
| 1 Mar 2026 | X2 vs X4 | Delhi |
| 1 Mar 2026 | X1 vs X3 | Kolkata |
| 4 Mar 2026 | SF1 vs KO | Kolkata |
| 4 Mar 2026 | SF1 vs KO | Premadasa, Colombo |
| 5 Mar 2026 | SF2 vs KO | Mumbai |
| 8 Mar 2026 | Final KO | Premadasa, Colombo |
| 8 Mar 2026 | Final KO | Ahmedabad |
Interestingly, the tournament will begin with three matches on the opening day. The games will be played at the following times:
- 11:00 am
- 3:00 pm
- 7:00 pm
India’s Key Fixtures and Their Road Ahead
India will begin their campaign on 7 February in Mumbai. Their second match is on 12 February in New Delhi against Namibia. But the biggest fixture of the group stage, India vs Pakistan, is locked in for 15 February at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium.
India will then conclude the group stage by facing the Netherlands on 18 February in Ahmedabad. These matches will decide India’s path to the Super Eight and set the tone for their title defence.
Also read: Only Three Left-Arm Pacers With Test Five-Wicket Hauls in India Since 1988; Check Full List
Rohit Sharma Named ICC Ambassador for T20 World Cup 2026
The ICC has made a major announcement by naming Rohit Sharma as the ambassador for the T20 World Cup 2026. Under the guidance of Rohit, Indian won the T20 World Cup in 2024. He has played in every edition of the tournament since it first began. Although he has stepped away from T20 internationals, he still remains an important figure in world cricket.
As the tournament’s ambassador, he will help promote the event globally and support the true spirit of the game. Rohit expressed gratitude for the honor, calling it a memorable moment and hoping the 2026 edition inspires fans just like past tournaments.
Why the 2026 World Cup Stands Out
The 2026 edition is one of the most inclusive World Cups, featuring 20 teams for the second time in history. Emerging nations get the chance to compete on the world stage, while top teams prepare for a month of intense cricket.
India and Pakistan being placed together in Group A adds huge excitement early in the tournament. With co-hosting duties shared between India and Sri Lanka, fans can expect packed stadiums, high-quality pitches, and world-class match environments.
Conclusion
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be a thrilling tournament filled with strong teams, high-stakes matches, and unforgettable rivalries. With India and Pakistan together in Group A, the group stage itself promises blockbuster moments.
And with Rohit Sharma serving as the tournament’s ambassador, the World Cup gains both prestige and passion. As fans count down the days, February 2026 already feels like a landmark month for world cricket.
Written by Kinjal Walantra