Cricket’s biggest party is heading back to the subcontinent, and this time it’s bringing 20 teams, 55 matches, and a month of pure chaos. The T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7 and wraps up on March 8, with India and Sri Lanka sharing hosting duties.
If you’re already marking your calendar, good. Because this ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 tournament’s going to be massive.
T20 World Cup 2026 Key Information
Tournament: ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Total Teams: 20
Total Matches: 55
Tournament Dates: February 7 – March 8, 2026
Host Countries: India and Sri Lanka
Opening Match: Pakistan vs Netherlands, February 7 at SSC Colombo
T20 World Cup 2026 Final Date: March 8, 2026
Final Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (if Pakistan qualifies) or Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
The ICC dropped the full T20 World Cup 2026 schedule back on November 25, 2025. Since then, fans have been doing what cricket fans do best – overanalyzing every single fixture and planning their lives around India vs Pakistan.
T20 World Cup 2026 Format Explained
Twenty teams split into four groups of five. Everyone plays everyone in their group. No hiding. Top two from each group move to the Super Eight stage, where things get properly competitive.
From there, it’s straightforward knockout cricket. Semi-finals on March 4 and 5, T20 World Cup 2026 final on March 8. Win or go home.
The twist? Pakistan plays all their matches in Sri Lanka. Political tensions mean they won’t set foot in India during this tournament, even if they make the knockouts. If Pakistan reaches the semis or final, those matches shift to Colombo. Otherwise, expect the big games to happen in Indian stadiums.
T20 World Cup 2026 Match Timings
Most T20 World Cup 2026 matches start at 7:00 PM IST. Perfect for evening viewing in India, less perfect if you’re watching from Europe or the Americas.
Days with double-headers – and there are plenty – have matches at 11:00 AM IST and 3:00 PM IST too. The tournament organizers learned from past editions that cricket fans will watch three matches in a day if you give them the chance.
Opening day sets the tone. Pakistan vs Netherlands at 11:00 AM, West Indies vs Bangladesh at 3:00 PM, India vs USA at 7:00 PM. Three matches, three different groups, one very long day for cricket addicts.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Groups
The T20 World Cup 2026 groups feature four pools with five teams each. Here’s the complete T20 World Cup 2026 teams list breakdown:
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | India, Pakistan, Netherlands, USA, Namibia |
| Group B | Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Oman, Zimbabwe |
| Group C | England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy |
| Group D | New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE |
Group A is all about the heavyweights crushing the newcomers and that one match everyone’s waiting for. India vs Pakistan on February 15 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Evening match. Expect a billion people to stop whatever they’re doing.
Group B has Sri Lanka getting the home advantage. Australia’s always dangerous in World Cups. Ireland keeps proving they’re not pushovers anymore. Zimbabwe and Oman are fighting for respect.
Group C features England and West Indies – both have won this trophy twice. Bangladesh is scrappy. Nepal’s building something. Italy’s just happy to be here – this is basically their T20 World Cup debut at the highest level.
Group D is the “almost but not quite” group. New Zealand and South Africa – perennial bridesmaids who can never quite close it out. Afghanistan’s spinners will torture everyone. Canada and UAE are wildcards.
Complete T20 World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
Here’s the full T20 World Cup 2026 schedule with all 55 matches listed with dates, timings, and venues. This ICC T20 World Cup 2026 fixture list covers every group stage match:
Match 1
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Match: Pakistan vs Netherlands
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: SSC, Colombo
Match 2
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Match: West Indies vs Bangladesh
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Match 3
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Match: India vs USA
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Match 4
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
Match: New Zealand vs Afghanistan
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Match 5
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
Match: England vs Nepal
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Match 6
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
Match: Sri Lanka vs Ireland
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Match 7
Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
Match: Australia vs Oman
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: Pallekele, Kandy
Match 8
Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
Match: South Africa vs Canada
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Match 9
Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
Match: USA vs Namibia
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Match 10
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Match: Afghanistan vs UAE
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Match 11
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Match: Ireland vs Zimbabwe
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Pallekele, Kandy
Match 12
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Match: Pakistan vs USA
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: SSC, Colombo
Match 13
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Match: Bangladesh vs Italy
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Match 14
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Match: Australia vs Zimbabwe
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Pallekele, Kandy
Match 15
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Match: England vs West Indies
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Match 16
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Match: Netherlands vs USA
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Match 17
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Match: Nepal vs Italy
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Match 18
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Match: India vs Namibia
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Match 19
Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
Match: New Zealand vs UAE
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Match 20
Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
Match: South Africa vs Afghanistan
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Match 21
Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
Match: Sri Lanka vs Oman
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: SSC, Colombo
Match 22
Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
Match: Australia vs Ireland
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Match 23
Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
Match: New Zealand vs South Africa
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Match 24
Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
Match: West Indies vs Italy
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: Pallekele, Kandy
Match 25
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Match: Bangladesh vs Nepal
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Match 26
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Match: Namibia vs Netherlands
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: SSC, Colombo
Match 27
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Match: India vs Pakistan
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Match 28
Date: Monday, February 16, 2026
Match: Afghanistan vs Canada
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Match 29
Date: Monday, February 16, 2026
Match: Sri Lanka vs Australia
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Match 30
Date: Monday, February 16, 2026
Match: England vs Bangladesh
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Match 31
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Match: Zimbabwe vs Oman
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: Pallekele, Kandy
Match 32
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Match: South Africa vs UAE
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Match 33
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Match: West Indies vs Nepal
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Match 34
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Match: Pakistan vs Namibia
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Match 35
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Match: England vs Italy
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Match 36
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Match: India vs Netherlands
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Match 37
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Match: New Zealand vs Canada
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Match 38
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Match: Ireland vs Oman
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Pallekele, Kandy
Match 39
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Match: Afghanistan vs South Africa
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Match 40
Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Match: Bangladesh vs Italy
Time: 11:00 AM IST
Stadium: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Match 41
Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Match: South Africa vs Canada
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Stadium: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Match 42
Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Match: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Stadium: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Group stage runs through February 20. After that, the real tournament begins.
Super Eight Stage – Where Pretenders Get Exposed
Super Eight dates: February 21 to March 1, 2026
Total matches: 12 matches
Teams: Top 8 from group stage
Top eight teams from the group stage get divided into two new groups of four. Each team plays three matches. Win two, you’re probably through to the semis. Win one or less, you’re booking flights home.
This T20 World Cup 2026 format is brutal. There’s no room for bad days. One collapse with the bat, one dropped catch in the final over, and your tournament’s done.
The Super Eight stage is where we find out who actually deserves to be called a contender. Group stage upsets are fun. Super Eight upsets are devastating.
T20 World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage
Semi-Final 1: March 4, 2026
Semi-Final 2: March 5, 2026
T20 World Cup 2026 Final: March 8, 2026
Three matches to decide who wins the whole thing. The T20 World Cup semi-finals will likely happen at major Indian venues unless Pakistan qualifies, in which case Colombo hosts.
The T20 World Cup 2026 final venue is still a moving target. Pakistan makes it? R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo gets the game. Pakistan doesn’t make it? Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad probably hosts the final in front of 130,000 people.
T20 World Cup 2026 Venues – Stadiums Hosting Matches
The T20 World Cup 2026 will be hosted across multiple cricket stadiums in India and Sri Lanka:
India Venues:
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai – Hosting multiple group matches including India vs USA
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad – Potential final venue (132,000 capacity)
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata – Historic venue hosting key group matches
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi – Multiple group stage fixtures
- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai – Traditional cricket stronghold
Sri Lanka Venues:
- R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo – Hosting India vs Pakistan and potential final
- SSC, Colombo – Opening match venue
- Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy – Group stage matches
Indian stadiums will be packed. Sri Lankan venues will be loud. Every match matters because there’s always someone trying to prove something.
T20 World Cup 2026 Teams – Participating Nations
A total of 20 teams will participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Out of these, 15 teams have already qualified. Teams like India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, and Bangladesh are among the confirmed participants.
Qualified Teams for T20 World Cup 2026:
- India (hosts & defending champions)
- Sri Lanka (co-hosts)
- Pakistan
- Australia
- England
- South Africa
- New Zealand
- West Indies
- Bangladesh
- Afghanistan
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- USA
- Namibia
- Zimbabwe
Some teams like Italy and Canada will be making rare appearances, which adds extra interest to the tournament. Nepal continues their rise in international cricket.
The remaining 5 spots will be filled through the official T20 World Cup qualification process, and their details will be updated once confirmed.
T20 World Cup 2026 Squads – Team Lists
Teams are announcing their 15-player squads for the T20 World Cup 2026, and the usual drama’s already started.
India Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
India’s playing XI features a new generation trying to defend the title. Suryakumar Yadav captains. Bumrah leads the bowling. Hardik Pandya’s back as the all-rounder. No Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma – they retired from T20Is after winning the 2024 edition.
Full Team India T20 World Cup 2026 squad:
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar.
Sri Lanka Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Sri Lanka’s preliminary squad has 25 players. Final 15 gets selected closer to the tournament. Dasun Shanaka’s captaining, which tells you they’re going with experience. Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana are their match-winners.
Sri Lanka preliminary squad:
Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew.
Other Teams
Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 squad, Australia squad, England squad, and other teams will be announced soon. Check back for updates on all T20 World Cup 2026 teams.
T20 World Cup Winners List – Complete History
The ICC T20 World Cup started in 2007, and only a few teams have actually won it. Here’s the complete T20 World Cup champions list showing every winner and runner-up:
| Year | Host Country | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | South Africa | India | Pakistan |
| 2009 | England | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
| 2010 | West Indies | England | Australia |
| 2012 | Sri Lanka | West Indies | Sri Lanka |
| 2014 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | India |
| 2016 | India | West Indies | England |
| 2021 | UAE & Oman | Australia | New Zealand |
| 2022 | Australia | England | Pakistan |
| 2024 | West Indies & USA | India | South Africa |
Most T20 World Cup titles: West Indies and England (2 each)
Current champions: India (defending the title they won in 2024)
India’s the defending T20 World Cup champion and they’re hosting the 2026 T20 World Cup. That combination’s powerful. But T20 cricket doesn’t respect favorites. One bad game and you’re out.
What Makes T20 World Cup 2026 Special
This is the first T20 World Cup where India and Sri Lanka share hosting duties. The 2024 edition was co-hosted by USA and West Indies, which was basically a logistics nightmare. This time, everything’s closer together geographically.
Twenty teams is also the most we’ve had in a T20 World Cup. More teams means more matches, more variety, and more chances for upsets.
The political situation with Pakistan playing in Sri Lanka adds a layer of complexity that doesn’t exist in other tournaments. Every decision about venues has diplomatic implications. Cricket becomes geopolitics.
Key Matches to Watch in T20 World Cup 2026
India vs Pakistan – February 15, 2026, 7:00 PM IST
The blockbuster match. R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This is what everyone’s waiting for.
England vs West Indies – February 11, 2026
Former champions collide at Wankhede Stadium.
Sri Lanka vs Australia – February 16, 2026
Classic rivalry with home advantage for Sri Lanka.
New Zealand vs South Africa – February 14, 2026
Two teams looking to break their World Cup curse.
Afghanistan vs South Africa – February 13 & 19, 2026
Afghanistan’s spinners vs South Africa’s batting lineup.
Match Timings for Planning Your Life
If you’re in India, the 7:00 PM matches are perfect. Finish work, grab dinner, settle in for cricket.
If you’re in the UK, those 7:00 PM IST matches start at 1:30 PM. Doable if you work from home.
If you’re on the US East Coast, you’re waking up early or watching replays. The 7:00 PM IST matches start at 8:30 AM your time.
Australia and New Zealand get the best deal. Those evening matches in India are late-night cricket for them, which is basically their natural habitat.
What to Actually Watch For
India’s title defense: Can the new-look team handle the pressure of being favorites at home?
Pakistan’s redemption tour: They’ve reached three finals and lost all three since winning in 2009. Fourth time’s the charm?
England’s consistency: Two titles in eight years. They’ve figured something out.
West Indies’ revival: They were dominant, then fell off, now they’re rebuilding. Where are they really at?
Afghanistan’s spin attack: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad. They’ll ruin someone’s tournament.
Associate teams causing chaos: Netherlands beat South Africa in the 2022 edition. Ireland’s beaten England before. Don’t sleep on these teams.
Getting the Schedule on Your Phone
The full schedule’s available as a PDF download through official ICC channels. Save it offline so you can check fixtures without burning through mobile data.
Or just bookmark this article. We’ve got everything you need.
The Bottom Line
February 7 to March 8, 2026. One month. Fifty-five matches. Twenty teams fighting for one trophy.
The T20 World Cup 2026 group stage will have upsets. The Super Eight will be ruthless. The knockouts will be theater.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, India and Pakistan will play each other on February 15 in Colombo, and the entire cricket world will stop to watch.
Mark your calendars. Clear your schedules. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is going to be chaotic, unpredictable, and absolutely unmissable.
Just like T20 cricket should be.
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From: WorldCupSchedules.com
