Patiala, 19 November (Sports Desk)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the complete schedule for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from 15 January to 6 February 2026.
This will be the 16th edition of the tournament and the first time Zimbabwe and Namibia are jointly hosting the event. A total of 41 matches will be played across 23 days, featuring 16 teams battling for the coveted title.
Tournament Format (Unchanged)
- Group Stage: 16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4
- Super Six Stage: Top 3 from each group advance → two groups of 6
- Knockouts: Two semi-finals + Final (all with reserve days)
watch…..Test Match Insights: South Africa 159, India 37/1 After Day 1
Debuts & Returns
- Tanzania will make their historic U19 World Cup debut
- Japan return after featuring in the 2020 edition
Groups
Group A India (5-time champions) Bangladesh (2020 winners) New Zealand USA
Group B Zimbabwe (co-hosts) Pakistan England Scotland
Group C Australia (defending champions) Sri Lanka Ireland Japan
Group D South Africa West Indies Afghanistan Tanzania
Venues
- Harare Sports Club, Harare
- Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
- Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
- Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
- HP Oval, Windhoek
Opening Day Highlights – 15 January 2026
- USA vs India – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
- Zimbabwe vs Scotland – Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
- Tanzania vs West Indies – HP Oval, Windhoek
Full Group Stage Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan | USA v India | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo |
| 15 Jan | Zimbabwe v Scotland | Takashinga Sports Club, Harare |
| 15 Jan | Tanzania v West Indies | HP Oval, Windhoek |
| 16 Jan | Pakistan v England | Takashinga Sports Club, Harare |
| 16 Jan | Australia v Ireland | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek |
| 16 Jan | Afghanistan v South Africa | HP Oval, Windhoek |
| 17 Jan | India v Bangladesh | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo |
| 17 Jan | Japan v Sri Lanka | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek |
| 18 Jan | New Zealand v USA | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo |
| 18 Jan | England v Zimbabwe | Takashinga Sports Club, Harare |
| 18 Jan | West Indies v Afghanistan | HP Oval, Windhoek |
| 19 Jan | Pakistan v Scotland | Takashinga Sports Club, Harare |
| 19 Jan | Sri Lanka v Ireland | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek |
| 19 Jan | South Africa v Tanzania | HP Oval, Windhoek |
| 20 Jan | Bangladesh v New Zealand | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo |
| 20 Jan | Australia v Japan | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek |
| 21 Jan | England v Scotland | Takashinga Sports Club, Harare |
| 21 Jan | Afghanistan v Tanzania | HP Oval, Windhoek |
| 22 Jan | Zimbabwe v Pakistan | Takashinga Sports Club, Harare |
| 22 Jan | Ireland v Japan | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek |
| 22 Jan | West Indies v South Africa | HP Oval, Windhoek |
| 23 Jan | Bangladesh v USA | Takashinga Sports Club, Harare |
| 23 Jan | Sri Lanka v Australia | Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek |
| 24 Jan | India v New Zealand | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo |
Knockout Fixtures
- 3 Feb 2026 – 1st Semi-Final – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
- 4 Feb 2026 – 2nd Semi-Final – Harare Sports Club, Harare
- 6 Feb 2026 – Final – Harare Sports Club, Harare
ICC Chairman Jay Shah said: “The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has long been the cradle of greatness… This tournament is where dreams are ignited, rivalries are born, and the global cricketing landscape begins to take its next form.”
Teams arrive: 8 January | Warm-up matches: 9–14 January
