The Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced the match schedule for the ICC U19 Males’s Cricket World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026. In all, 16 groups will compete in 41 matches, with the ultimate scheduled for February 6 on the Harare Sports activities Membership.
On the opening day, India will compete in opposition to the USA, Zimbabwe will face Scotland, and Tanzania will make their historic event debut in opposition to the West Indies. The matches shall be held at 5 venues: Harare Sports activities Membership, Takashinga Sports activities Membership, and Queens Sports activities Membership in Zimbabwe, in addition to the Namibia Cricket Floor and HP Oval Namibia. The event construction contains 4 teams of 4 groups every, advancing to a Tremendous Six section, then semi-finals, and eventually the ultimate in Harare.
Defending champions Australia begin their marketing campaign in opposition to Eire on the second day in Windhoek. On the similar time, longstanding rivals India and Bangladesh face off in one of many spotlight matches early on, scheduled for January 17 in Bulawayo. Ten groups routinely certified as a result of their efficiency within the 2024 version and joined hosts Zimbabwe. The opposite 5 groups secured their spots by regional qualification occasions, highlighting the rising worldwide attain of the U19 pathway.
The perimeters are scheduled to reach on January 8 and can conduct warm-up matches from January 9 to 14. Group A contains India, probably the most profitable staff with 5 titles, together with 2020 winners Bangladesh, the USA, and New Zealand.
Group B contains co-hosts Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, and Scotland. Group C options the defending champions, Australia, together with Eire, Japan, and Sri Lanka. Group D consists of Tanzania, the West Indies, Afghanistan, and South Africa.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed his anticipation for the event, the place rising stars of world cricket will showcase their skills, saying, “The ICC U19 Males’s Cricket World Cup has lengthy been the cradle of greatness, a event that reveals not simply the following era of cricketers, however the subsequent era of icons. From Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya to Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Shubman Gill, the occasion has persistently formed the way forward for our sport.”
“As we stay up for the 2026 version in Zimbabwe and Namibia, we’re excited to offer younger cricketers with a world-class platform that mirrors the requirements and pressures of senior worldwide cricket. This event is the place goals are ignited, rivalries are born, and the worldwide cricketing panorama begins to take its subsequent type.
“We’re particularly happy to welcome Tanzania as they make their debut and be part of a really world discipline of groups. I lengthen my warmest needs to all taking part squads as they embark on this exceptional journey, representing their nations with pleasure and promise,” he added.
Match schedule:
January 15: USA v India, Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo
January 15: Zimbabwe v Scotland, Takashinga Sports activities Membership, Harare
January 15: Tanzania v West Indies, HP Oval, Windhoek
January 16: Pakistan v England, Takashinga Sports activities Membership, Harare
January 16: Australia v Eire, Namibia Cricket Floor, Windhoek
January 16: Afghanistan v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek
January 17: India v Bangladesh, Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo
January 17: Japan v Sri Lanka, Namibia Cricket Floor, Windhoek
January 18: New Zealand v USA, Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo
January 18: England v Zimbabwe, Takashinga Sports activities Membership, Harare
January 18: West Indies v Afghanistan, HP Oval, Windhoek
January 19: Pakistan v Scotland, Takashinga Sports activities Membership, Harare
January 19: Sri Lanka v Eire, Namibia Cricket Floor, Windhoek
January 19: South Africa v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek
January 20: Bangladesh v New Zealand, Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo
January 20: Australia v Japan, Namibia Cricket Floor, Windhoek
January 21: England v Scotland, Takashinga Sports activities Membership, Harare
January 21: Afghanistan v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek
January 22: Zimbabwe v Pakistan, Takashinga Sports activities Membership, Harare
January 22: Eire v Japan, Namibia Cricket Floor, Windhoek
January 22: West Indies v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek
January 23: Bangladesh v USA, Takashinga Sports activities Membership, Harare
January 23: Sri Lanka v Australia, Namibia Cricket Floor, Windhoek
January 24: India v New Zealand, Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo
January 24: A4 v D4, HP Oval, Windhoek
January 25: Tremendous Six A1 v D3, Namibia Cricket Floor, Windhoek
January 25: Tremendous Six D2 v A3, HP Oval, Windhoek
January 26: B4 v C4, Harare Sports activities Membership, Harare
January 26: Tremendous Six C1 v B2, Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo
January 26: Tremendous Six D1 v A2, Namibia Cricket Floor, Windhoek
January 27: Tremendous Six C2 v B3, Harare Sports activities Membership, Harare
January 27: Tremendous Six C3 v B1, Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo
January 28: Tremendous Six, A1 v D2, Harare Sports activities Membership, Harare
January 29: Tremendous Six D3 v A2, Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo
January 30: Tremendous Six D1 v A3, Harare Sports activities Membership, Harare
January 30: Tremendous Six B3 v C1, Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo
January 31: Tremendous Six B2 v C3, Harare Sports activities Membership, Harare
February 01: Tremendous Six B1 v C2, Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo
February 03: First semi-final, Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo
February 04: Second semi-final, Harare Sports activities Membership, Harare
February 06: Ultimate, Harare Sports activities Membership, Harare