ICC U19 World Cup 2026: Full Schedule, Groups, and Venues Announced
After all the excitement in the Asia Cup 2025, ICC chairman Jay Shah has made sure India and Pakistan are in different groups for the next ICC tournament. He also announced the schedule and venues for the 16th ICC U19 World Cup 2026, which will be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from 15 January to 6 February 2026.
The tournament format stays the same with 16 teams divided into four groups of four, playing 41 matches over 23 days. India, the five-time champions, will be in Group A with Bangladesh, the USA, and New Zealand. Pakistan is in Group B with Zimbabwe, England, and Scotland. Teams will reach Africa on 8 January and warm-up matches will be held from 9 to 14 January.
A Launchpad for Future Cricketing Legends
The ICC U19 World Cup 2026 will start with India vs USA, Zimbabwe vs Scotland and Tanzania vs West Indies. Tanzania is playing for the first time, and Japan is returning after 2020. After the group stage, the top three teams from each group go to the Super Six and then the best teams move to the semi-finals and final. Matches will be played at five main grounds: two in Harare, one in Bulawayo and two in Windhoek, Namibia.
“The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has long been the cradle of greatness, a tournament that reveals not just the next generation of cricketers, but the next generation of icons. From Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya to Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith and Shubman Gill, the event has consistently shaped the future of our sport.” ICC Chair Jay Shah said.
“As we look ahead to the 2026 edition in Zimbabwe and Namibia, we are excited to provide young cricketers with a world-class platform that mirrors the standards and pressures of senior international cricket. This tournament is where dreams are ignited, rivalries are born, and the global cricketing landscape begins to take its next form.” he added.
ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026: Warm-up Matches Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| January 9 | India vs Scotland, England vs USA | Prince Edward School, Harare; Old Hararians, Harare |
| January 10 | Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Zimbabwe vs NZ, Ireland vs West Indies, Japan vs Tanzania | Masvingo Sports Club, Bulawayo Athletics Club, Wanderers Ground, United Ground |
| January 11 | Australia vs Afghanistan, South Africa vs Sri Lanka | Wanderers Cricket Ground, United Ground |
| January 12 | Scotland vs Bangladesh, India vs England | Masvingo Sports Club, Bulawayo Athletics Club |
| January 13 | Pakistan vs NZ, Zimbabwe vs USA, Ireland vs Tanzania, Japan vs West Indies | Bulawayo Athletics Club, Prince Edward School, Wanderers Ground, United Ground |
| January 14 | Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, Australia vs South Africa | Wanderers Ground, United Ground |
Group Matches Matches Schedule
| Date | Match/Stage | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| January 15 | USA vs India, Zimbabwe vs Scotland, Tanzania vs West Indies | Queens Sports Club, Takashinga Sports Club, HP Oval Namibia |
| January 16 | Pakistan vs England, Australia vs Ireland, Afghanistan vs South Africa | Takashinga Sports Club, Namibia Cricket Ground, HP Oval Namibia |
| January 17 | India vs Bangladesh, Japan vs Sri Lanka | Queens Sports Club, Namibia Cricket Ground |
| January 18 | New Zealand vs USA, England vs Zimbabwe, West Indies vs Afghanistan | Queens Sports Club, Takashinga Sports Club, HP Oval Namibia |
| January 19 | Pakistan vs Scotland, Sri Lanka vs Ireland, South Africa vs Tanzania | Takashinga Sports Club, Namibia Cricket Ground, HP Oval Namibia |
| January 20 | Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Australia vs Japan | Queens Sports Club, Namibia Cricket Ground |
| January 21 | England vs Scotland, Afghanistan vs Tanzania | Takashinga Sports Club, HP Oval Namibia |
| January 22 | Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, Ireland vs Japan, West Indies vs South Africa | Takashinga Sports Club, Namibia Cricket Ground, HP Oval Namibia |
| January 23 | Bangladesh vs USA, Sri Lanka vs Australia | Takashinga Sports Club, Namibia Cricket Ground |
| January 24 | India vs New Zealand, A4 vs D4 (Elimination) | Queens Sports Club, HP Oval Namibia |
| January 25-31 | Super Six Stage Matches | Various Venues |
| February 3 | Semi-Final 1: AD1 vs BC2 | Queens Sports Club |
| February 4 | Semi-Final 2: BC1 vs AD2 | Harare Sports Club |
| February 5 | Reserve Day for Semi-Final 2 | Harare Sports Club |
| February 6 | Final | Harare Sports Club |
| February 7 | Reserve Day for Final | Harare Sports Clu |
