The ICC on Wednesday announced the schedule for the Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia. The tournament will begin on 15 January, and the final will be played on 6 February. A total of 16 teams will participate in the event. Over 23 days, 41 matches will be played across five venues.
On the opening day, India U-19 will face the USA, Zimbabwe will take on Scotland, and Tanzania will play against the West Indies. India is the most successful team in the history of the tournament, having won five titles.
India and Pakistan placed in different groups
The 16 teams are divided into four groups. Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are not in the same group. The ICC has placed both teams in separate groups.
- India is in Group A with the USA, Bangladesh and New Zealand.
- Pakistan is in Group B with Zimbabwe, England and Scotland.
- Group C includes Australia, Ireland, Japan and Sri Lanka.
- Group D consists of the West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa and Tanzania.
Australia defeated India by 79 runs in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup final held in South Africa and are the defending champions.
10 teams qualify directly
Teams will progress from the group stage to the Super Six round, followed by the semi-finals and then the final. Defending champions Australia will start their campaign on 16 January against Ireland.
Ten teams, including hosts Zimbabwe, earned direct qualification based on their performance in the 2024 edition, while five teams qualified through regional qualifiers. Tanzania will participate in the tournament for the first time.
From Kohli to Shubman Gill – U-19 stars who became icons
ICC Chairman Jay Shah said he is eagerly waiting for this tournament, where the future stars of world cricket will shine.
He said, “The ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has long been a platform where greatness begins. This tournament not only showcases the next generation of cricketers but also the next generation of global icons. From Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya to Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith and Shubman Gill, this event has consistently shaped the future of our sport.”
Complete Schedule of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026
15 January
- USA vs India – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
- Zimbabwe vs Scotland – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
- Tanzania vs West Indies – HP Oval, Windhoek
16 January
- Pakistan vs England – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
- Australia vs Ireland – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
- Afghanistan vs South Africa – HP Oval, Windhoek
17 January
- India vs Bangladesh – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
- Japan vs Sri Lanka – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
18 January
- New Zealand vs USA – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
- England vs Zimbabwe – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
- West Indies vs Afghanistan – HP Oval, Windhoek
19 January
- Pakistan vs Scotland – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
- Sri Lanka vs Ireland – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
- South Africa vs Tanzania – HP Oval, Windhoek
20 January
- Bangladesh vs New Zealand – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
- Australia vs Japan – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
21 January
- England vs Scotland – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
- Afghanistan vs Tanzania – HP Oval, Windhoek
22 January
- Zimbabwe vs Pakistan – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
- Ireland vs Japan – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
- West Indies vs South Africa – HP Oval, Windhoek
23 January
- Bangladesh vs USA – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
- Sri Lanka vs Australia – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
24 January
- India vs New Zealand – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
- A4 vs D4 – HP Oval, Windhoek
25 January
- Super Six: A1 vs D3 – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
- Super Six: D2 vs A3 – HP Oval, Windhoek
26 January
- B4 vs C4 – Harare Sports Club, Harare
- Super Six: C1 vs B2 – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
- Super Six: D1 vs A2 – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
27 January
- Super Six: C2 vs B3 – Harare Sports Club, Harare
- Super Six: C3 vs B1 – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
28 January
- Super Six: A1 vs D2 – Harare Sports Club, Harare
29 January
- Super Six: D3 vs A2 – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
30 January
- Super Six: D1 vs A3 – Harare Sports Club, Harare
- Super Six: B3 vs C1 – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
31 January
- Super Six: B2 vs C3 – Harare Sports Club, Harare
1 February
- Super Six: B1 vs C2 – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
3 February
- First Semi-final – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
4 February
- Second Semi-final – Harare Sports Club, Harare
6 February
- Final – Harare Sports Club, Harare