T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule: Teams, Squads, Match Dates and Venue

The next ICC Men's T20 World Cup is almost here. It will be the 10th edition of this significant global cricket tournament. India and Sri Lanka will proudly co-host the event. The action starts in early 2026 and runs from February 6 to March 8. A massive 20 teams will compete for the title. Both host nations, India and Sri Lanka, qualify automatically. Many other top teams from the 2024 World Cup and regional qualifiers have also secured their spots. While the final squads are yet to be announced, we can expect the world's best players to participate. The ICC is still finalising the match schedule.

However, key venues like the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad (likely the final host) and grounds in Colombo will feature prominently. In this article, we'll take a look at the confirmed dates, all 20 qualified teams, potential host venues, and the tournament format.

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Fixtures (Group Stage)

The road to the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup title, hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set. From February 7th to March 8th, top nations will battle across iconic venues in both countries. Highlights include the anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash in Colombo, leading up to the final in Ahmedabad.

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage

(Note on Semi-Finals/Final: The final venue is Ahmedabad, but will be shifted to P. Colombo if Pakistan qualifies. Kolkata and Mumbai are the primary semi-final venues.)

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2025 Schedule, Match Date and Venue

The 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will feature 20 teams competing across 29 days. Eight major venues will be used: five in India (Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata) and three in Sri Lanka (Colombo's R. Premadasa and SSC, and Kandy).

Tournament Structure

• Group Stage: 40 matches will be played from February 7-20. The top two teams from each of the four groups advance.
• Super Eights: This stage begins on February 21.
• Knockout Stage: The top four teams from the Super Eights proceed to the Semi-Finals (hosted in Kolkata/Colombo and Mumbai), leading to the Final on March 8 in Ahmedabad/Colombo.

Match Dates

The tournament is scheduled to take place in early 2026. While the official fixtures are still pending, sources suggest the tournament is expected to commence on February 7 and conclude by March 8.  This 31-day period will include all group stage matches, the Super Eights, the semi-finals, and the final.

Host Venues

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with matches spread across eight major venues.

T20 World Cup Groups:

• Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan
• Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
• Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
• Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE

Confirmed Host Venues

Here’s the breakdown of stadiums selected to stage matches:

India

• Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad – shortlisted for the final and one of the semi-finals
• Eden Gardens, Kolkata – shortlisted for a semi-final
• Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
• M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Sri Lanka

• R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo – expected to host India vs Pakistan and other key fixtures
• P. Sara Oval, Colombo
• Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

Tournament Timeline

• Dates: February 7 – March 8, 2026
• Teams: 20 nations (10 automatic qualifiers + 10 via global qualifiers)
• Format: Group stage → Super 8s → Semi-finals → Final

Key Highlights

• India and Sri Lanka are joint hosts, marking the first time the tournament is split between these two nations.
• Pakistan’s matches will be played in Sri Lanka due to political sensitivities, including the marquee India vs Pakistan clash in Colombo.
• The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is the frontrunner to host the final, while Ahmedabad and Kolkata are set for the semi-finals.

T20 World Cup 2026 Teams and Squads

A total of 20 teams will compete for the title. The list includes the two host nations, India and Sri Lanka, plus the top teams from the previous 2024 World Cup. The remaining spots are being filled through a series of regional qualification tournaments.

When Will T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule be Announced?

The ICC has confirmed that the official schedule for the 2026 T20 World Cup, prepared in collaboration with the BCCI, will be unveiled on Tuesday, November 25, in Mumbai. The event is set to begin at 6:30 PM IST and will be attended by ICC chairman Jay Shah.

Reports suggest that India and Pakistan will once again be placed in the same group, alongside USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. India are expected to kick off their campaign against USA in Ahmedabad, with the Narendra Modi Stadium also chosen as the venue for the final. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash is likely to be staged in Colombo, as Pakistan will not be traveling to India for the tournament.

Who Has Won the Most T20 World Cup Trophies?

The record for the most ICC Men's T20 World Cup trophies is jointly held by three teams, each having won the tournament twice:

• India (2007 and 2024)
• England (2010 and 2022)
• West Indies (2012 and 2016)

Note: For the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, Australia holds the record with 6 titles.

Who Has been Named as the ICC 2026 T20 World Cup Ambassador?

Rohit Sharma, who led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. This makes him the first cricketer currently active in the sport to be given the role of T20 World Cup ambassador.