The upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka starting on February 7, is generating immense interest among cricket fans. The ICC has now finalized the grouping of the 20 participating teams, dividing them into four groups of five teams each. This development confirms that arch-rivals India and Pakistan will once again face each other in the group stage, setting the stage for another thrilling encounter.
The hosts, India and Sri Lanka, face varying levels of challenge in the group stage. Team India is placed in Group 1 alongside Pakistan, Netherlands, Namibia, and the USA. In contrast, Sri Lanka faces a tougher challenge in Group 2, which includes Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman. The remaining groups feature strong contenders: Group 3 includes England and West Indies, while Group 4 comprises South Africa and New Zealand, indicating a competitive tournament ahead.
The ICC has accelerated its preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026, finalizing eight host cities across the two countries. The groups are set up as follows:
-
Group 1: India, Pakistan, Netherlands, Namibia, USA.
-
Group 2: Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman.
-
Group 3: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy.
-
Group 4: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada.
