T20 World Cup 2026 Full Schedule Announcement LIVE: India’s schedule revealed, Men in Blue to play Pakistan on THIS date

Group Stage & Super 8 Fixtures

February 7: Mumbai (Wankhede Stadium)

India vs USA

February 12: New Delhi

India vs Namibia

February 15: Colombo

India vs Pakistan

The big one. Political tensions remain, but cricket gets its own stage.

February 18: Ahmedabad (Narendra Modi Stadium)

India vs Netherlands

Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia

Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman

Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy

Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE

Harmanpreet Kaur, the first-ever captain to lift the Women’s World Cup for India, took the stage in Mumbai during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule announcement event.

Reliving the Glory

The captain recounted her experience of winning the World Cup, sharing the emotions she and her teammates felt as they finally held the trophy. Her presence at the event added a historic and inspirational touch, connecting India’s past cricketing triumphs with the excitement surrounding the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Indian cricket icon Rohit Sharma has been announced as the official ambassador of the event. Several prominent cricketers are also present at the announcement, including his wife Ritika Sajdeh, T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, and World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Fans and media are closely watching as key match fixtures, venues, and timings are revealed for the first time.

The official schedule announcement for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is currently underway in Mumbai. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta has taken the stage to kick off the proceedings, marking the start of one of the most awaited events in world cricket.

Cricket Stars Grace the Event

Several prominent Indian cricketers are present at the announcement, including Rohit Sharma, his wife Ritika Sajdeh, T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, and World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Fans and media alike are keeping a close watch as key match fixtures, venues, and timings are revealed for the first time.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule announcement event has officially begun. Fans across India and Sri Lanka are eagerly waiting as the fixtures, venues, and key match timings are revealed live.

Excitement Builds Ahead of India vs Pakistan Clash

All eyes are on the marquee India vs Pakistan match in Colombo, along with other blockbuster fixtures. Organizers have confirmed that the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will likely host the final, while Ahmedabad and Kolkata are set to stage the semi-finals. Updates from the live announcement will be streamed across the ICC’s official channels and Star Sports Network in India.

For the first time in the tournament’s history, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The arrangement aims to accommodate logistics and security while ensuring fans in both countries can experience the excitement firsthand.

Due to political sensitivities, Pakistan’s matches will be held in Sri Lanka, including the high-profile India vs Pakistan clash in Colombo. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is the frontrunner to host the final, while Ahmedabad and Kolkata are expected to host the semi-final matches, ensuring world-class venues for the tournament’s climax.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will run from February 7 to March 8, 2026, marking one of the longest editions in the tournament’s history. A total of 20 nations will compete — including 10 automatic qualifiers and 10 teams that secured their spots through global qualifiers.

Group Stage to Final — Format Breakdown

The event will begin with the group stage, followed by the Super 8s round, after which the top four teams will battle in the semi-finals. The winners of the two semi-finals will face off in the grand final, where one team will lift the coveted trophy.

The highly anticipated fixture announcement event of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is now LIVE. Fans across the globe are glued to the broadcast as the countdown to the full match schedule continues.

All Fixtures To Be Unveiled at 7:00 PM IST

The ICC will officially reveal the complete schedule and fixtures at 7:00 PM IST during the live event. Viewers can catch the coverage on the Star Sports Network and digital sports platforms in India.

Stay tuned for all live updates as the match list, group breakdown and venue allocations are announced.

Since the inception of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007, a total of six nations have gone on to win the coveted trophy. India, West Indies, and England are the most successful teams in the tournament’s history, having lifted the title twice each.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia have also etched their names on the honours list, winning the championship once apiece.

A total of nine editions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have been held since the tournament’s inception in 2007. India (2007 and 2024), England (2010 and 2022), and West Indies (2012 and 2016) stand as the most successful teams in the competition’s history, with two titles each.

Australia (2021), Sri Lanka (2014), and Pakistan (2008) complete the list of champions, lifting the trophy once apiece across previous editions.

India will play a total of 10 preparatory matches before co-hosting the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 with Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue will first face South Africa in a five-match series, followed by another five games against New Zealand. These series are expected to provide crucial match practice and help fine-tune strategies ahead of the global event scheduled for February-March next year. Fans will be eagerly watching these fixtures to assess India’s form and key player performances before the World Cup kicks off.

India will look to avoid the pressure of defending the crown at home as they head into the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. Defending a title in Indian men’s cricket has been rare over the last four decades.

The last instance of an Indian team entering a home World Cup as reigning champions was in 1987, when Kapil Dev’s side attempted to defend their ODI crown but were eliminated in the semi-finals.

This time, India co-hosts the tournament alongside Sri Lanka, with a renewed focus on steering clear of the so-called champions’ “curse” that has affected many teams across different sports.

With the official schedule set to be unveiled at 6:30 PM IST, cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the fixtures. All eyes are on defending champions India and the teams they will face in the group stages.

The announcement will provide the full bracket, sparking discussions on potential blockbuster clashes. From group-stage showdowns to high-stakes knockouts, fans are ready to plan for every thrilling encounter.

Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the final and one of the semi-finals, while Eden Gardens in Kolkata is shortlisted for a semi-final. Other venues include Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, and M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Sri Lanka to Stage High-Profile Matches Including India-Pakistan Clash

R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is expected to host the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash along with other important fixtures. P. Sara Oval, Colombo, and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy will also host matches, completing the Sri Lankan venue lineup.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will feature 20 teams following the format introduced in 2024. The tournament kicks off in February and runs through March, with fans eager to see thrilling clashes between established cricketing powerhouses and emerging teams.

Group Stage to Super Eight and Knockouts

The tournament will begin with four groups of five teams each, with the top two from each group progressing to the Super Eight stage. The Super Eight will be split into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The winners of the semis will clash in the grand finale, set to be a cricketing spectacle.

At the last ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, fans witnessed several stunning results. The biggest upset came when USA defeated two-time champions Pakistan, marking one of the most remarkable wins in the country’s cricketing history. Afghanistan’s victory over New Zealand also stood out, securing their spot in the semi-finals and proving their growing strength in international cricket.

The T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, promises more excitement. With Italy making its debut and Namibia returning, cricket enthusiasts can expect thrilling encounters and potential giant-killing moments. As teams adapt to the group-stage dynamics, unpredictable results could once again become a hallmark of this global tournament, keeping fans glued to the action from February to March.

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing growing scrutiny as the Men in Blue struggle in Test cricket, edging close to a second home series loss in under a year. Despite his success in limited-overs formats—securing Champions Trophy and Asia Cup titles—his attacking strategies have not translated effectively to red-ball cricket. Critics argue the dip in Test results highlights a need for a fresh approach or tactical adjustments.

T20 World Cup 2026 Adds to the Pressure

With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule announcement live today, Gambhir will be under the spotlight for India’s title defence. Fans and experts alike are eager to see how the defending champions navigate group-stage challenges, including the high-voltage clash against Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo. Success in T20s could ease mounting pressure, but the looming Test failures remain a concern for Indian cricket.

Cricket fans are in for high-voltage action as India and Pakistan are set to meet in the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. According to ESPN Cricinfo, the two arch-rivals will be joined by USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands, forming a competitive group that promises intense clashes from the very start of the tournament.

This group setup means India and Pakistan could face off before the knockout stages, adding extra excitement and anticipation for fans worldwide. With emerging teams like USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands also in the mix, every match could influence the Super Eight qualifications, making the group stage highly competitive.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will feature 20 international teams, with India and Sri Lanka as co-hosts. Fans can expect a mix of established powerhouses and emerging sides in the mega tournament scheduled for February–March 2026.

Here’s a look at the qualified teams

The complete lineup includes India (host), Sri Lanka (host), Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, United States, West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Canada, Netherlands, Italy, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

This diverse mix ensures exciting clashes across the group stage, including heavyweight showdowns and potential surprises from emerging cricketing nations. The stage is set for thrilling action as the world’s best T20 sides compete for the coveted title.

India will begin their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 with a clash against the USA at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, marking the opening day of the tournament.

The Men in Blue will then face Namibia in Delhi on February 12, before their high-voltage encounter with Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on February 15. India’s final group-stage match is scheduled against the Netherlands at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on February 18.

These fixtures set the stage for a thrilling home-and-away group stage, with fans already circling the high-profile India-Pakistan clash. India enters the tournament as defending champions, having won the 2024 edition in Barbados.

India, the reigning champions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, will enter the 2026 tournament looking to defend their title. The team won their second T20 World Cup with a narrow 7-run victory over the West Indies in the final held in Barbados last year. The thrilling match went down to the wire, with Rohit Sharma leading the side to triumph.

India also holds the distinction of winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, cementing their legacy as one of the most successful teams in the tournament’s history. Fans will be eagerly watching India’s campaign as they aim to retain their crown on home soil in February-March 2026, co-hosted with Sri Lanka.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with matches scheduled across five venues in India and three venues in Sri Lanka during February and March 2026, according to reports.

The Indian venues are expected to include Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Delhi, while Colombo, Kandy, and another city in Sri Lanka will host the matches in the island nation. Fans are eagerly awaiting the official fixture list, which will reveal the exact dates and matchups for the 20-team tournament.

The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled for February 15, 2026, at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, according to ESPN Cricinfo. Fans are already marking their calendars for the high-voltage clash between the arch-rivals, which promises to be one of the tournament’s biggest spectacles.

This encounter will be part of the group stage, with Pakistan playing all their matches at neutral venues in Sri Lanka due to prior hosting agreements. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly waiting for the full fixture release to plan their viewing and attendance.

The 20 participating teams will be split into four groups of five for the group stage, where each team will play four matches. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super 8s, which will feature two groups of four teams. In this stage, every team will play three matches, with the top two from each Super 8 group advancing to the semifinals. The winners of the semifinals will meet in the final, where the champion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be crowned.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will unveil the complete schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at 6:30 PM IST. Fans in India can catch the live broadcast of the announcement on the Star Sports Network.