The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the match schedule for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026. The tournament will feature 16 teams competing in a total of 41 matches. The structure includes four groups of four teams each, followed by a Super Six phase, semi-finals, and the final. The final match is scheduled for February 6 at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
Tournament Structure and Key Matches
The 16 participating teams are divided into four groups:
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Group A: India (most successful team with five titles), Bangladesh, USA, and New Zealand.
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Group B: Co-hosts Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, and Scotland.
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Group C: Defending champions Australia, Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka.
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Group D: Tanzania, the West Indies, Afghanistan, and South Africa.
The tournament begins on January 15, with India competing against the USA and the historic debut of Tanzania against the West Indies. One of the highlight matches is the rivalry clash between India and Bangladesh, scheduled for January 17 in Bulawayo. Defending champions Australia will start their campaign against Ireland on January 16 in Windhoek. Five teams qualified through regional qualification events, including debutants Tanzania, highlighting the tournament’s growing international reach.
Venues and Significance
The matches will be played across five venues: Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Sports Club, and Queens Sports Club in Zimbabwe, as well as the Namibia Cricket Ground and HP Oval Namibia. ICC Chairman Jay Shah emphasised the significance of the tournament, calling it “the cradle of greatness,” which has consistently shaped the future of cricket by producing legendary players like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith. The event aims to provide young cricketers with a world-class platform that mirrors the standards and pressures of senior international cricket.
