The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be one of the biggest cricket tournaments ever, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. With 20 international teams, iconic stadiums, and high-pressure matches, this tournament is expected to deliver non-stop T20 action.
The World Cup will be played in February and March 2026, featuring group stage matches, Super 8s, semi-finals, and the final. Below is the complete and easy-to-understand guide covering groups, teams, match dates, venues, countries, and timings.
Tournament Overview
- Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
- Hosts: India & Sri Lanka
- Total Teams: 20
- Total Matches: 55
- Formats: Group Stage → Super 8 → Knockouts
Match Timings (Local)
- Day Matches: 11:00 AM / 1:30 PM
- Afternoon Matches: 3:00 PM
- Night Matches: 7:00 PM / 7:30 PM
(Exact local time depends on venue)
Group Stage – Pools & Teams
The 20 teams are divided into 4 groups (pools) with 5 teams in each group.
Group A
- India
- Pakistan
- Netherlands
- USA
- Namibia
Group B
- England
- West Indies
- Bangladesh
- Nepal
- Italy
Group C
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Afghanistan
- Canada
- UAE
Group D
- Sri Lanka
- Australia
- Ireland
- Zimbabwe
- Oman
➡️ Top 2 teams from each group qualify for the Super 8 stage.
Host Countries & Main Venues
India
- Narendra Modi Stadium – Ahmedabad
- Wankhede Stadium – Mumbai
- Eden Gardens – Kolkata
- M. A. Chidambaram Stadium – Chennai
- Arun Jaitley Stadium – Delhi
Sri Lanka
- R. Premadasa Stadium – Colombo
- Sinhalese Sports Club Ground – Colombo
- Pallekele International Cricket Stadium – Kandy
Also Read more About
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Group Stage – Full Match Schedule
7 February 2026
- Pakistan vs Netherlands — Sri Lanka, Colombo (SSC) — 11:00 AM
- West Indies vs Bangladesh — India, Kolkata — 3:00 PM
- India vs USA — India, Mumbai — 7:00 PM
8 February 2026
- New Zealand vs Afghanistan — India, Chennai — 11:00 AM
- England vs Nepal — India, Mumbai — 3:00 PM
- Sri Lanka vs Ireland — Sri Lanka, Colombo — 7:00 PM
9 February 2026
- Bangladesh vs Italy — India, Kolkata — 11:00 AM
- Zimbabwe vs Oman — Sri Lanka, Colombo — 3:00 PM
- South Africa vs Canada — India, Ahmedabad — 7:00 PM
10 February 2026
- Netherlands vs Namibia — India, Delhi — 11:00 AM
- New Zealand vs UAE — India, Chennai — 3:00 PM
- Pakistan vs USA — Sri Lanka, Colombo — 7:00 PM
11 February 2026
- South Africa vs Afghanistan — India, Ahmedabad — 11:00 AM
- Australia vs Ireland — Sri Lanka, Colombo — 3:00 PM
- England vs West Indies — India, Mumbai — 7:00 PM
12 February 2026
- Sri Lanka vs Oman — Sri Lanka, Kandy — 11:00 AM
- Nepal vs Italy — India, Mumbai — 3:00 PM
- India vs Namibia — India, Delhi — 7:00 PM
13 February 2026
- Australia vs Zimbabwe — Sri Lanka, Colombo — 11:00 AM
- Canada vs UAE — India, Delhi — 3:00 PM
- USA vs Netherlands — India, Chennai — 7:00 PM
14 February 2026
- Ireland vs Oman — Sri Lanka, Colombo — 11:00 AM
- England vs Bangladesh — India, Kolkata — 3:00 PM
- New Zealand vs South Africa — India, Ahmedabad — 7:00 PM
15 February 2026
- West Indies vs Nepal — India, Mumbai — 11:00 AM
- USA vs Namibia — India, Chennai — 3:00 PM
- India vs Pakistan — Sri Lanka, Colombo — 7:00 PM ⭐
16 February 2026
- Afghanistan vs UAE — India, Delhi — 11:00 AM
- England vs Italy — India, Kolkata — 3:00 PM
- Australia vs Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka, Kandy — 7:00 PM
17 February 2026
- New Zealand vs Canada — India, Chennai — 11:00 AM
- Ireland vs Zimbabwe — Sri Lanka, Kandy — 3:00 PM
- Bangladesh vs Nepal — India, Mumbai — 7:00 PM
18 February 2026
- South Africa vs UAE — India, Delhi — 11:00 AM
- Pakistan vs Namibia — Sri Lanka, Colombo — 3:00 PM
- India vs Netherlands — India, Ahmedabad — 7:00 PM
19 February 2026
- West Indies vs Italy — India, Kolkata — 11:00 AM
- Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe — Sri Lanka, Colombo — 3:00 PM
- Afghanistan vs Canada — India, Chennai — 7:00 PM
20 February 2026
- Australia vs Oman — Sri Lanka, Kandy — 7:00 PM
Also Read More About The Greatest Fielders in Cricket History:(Country and Stats)
🏆 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Super 8, Semi-Finals & Final
As the Group Stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 concludes, the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage. From there, the best four teams will move on to the semi-finals, leading up to the final.
🟡 Super 8 Stage – Overview
The Super 8 round brings together the 8 best teams from the group stage. These matches will be played in the major host venues in India and Sri Lanka — Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Colombo, and Kandy.
In the Super 8 stage, each team will play 3 matches against teams they haven’t met in the group stage. The top four teams in the Super 8 standings will qualify for the semi-finals.
Super 8 – Match Windows (Confirmed Format)
(Exact teams and complete fixtures will be updated as teams qualify)
| Date | Time (Local) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Feb 2026 | Afternoon/Night | Super 8 – Match 1 | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 21 Feb 2026 | Night | Super 8 – Match 2 | Pallekele Stadium, Kandy |
| 22 Feb 2026 | Afternoon | Super 8 – Match 3 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 22 Feb 2026 | Night | Super 8 – Match 4 | SSC, Colombo |
| 23 Feb 2026 | Afternoon | Super 8 – Match 5 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 23 Feb 2026 | Night | Super 8 – Match 6 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 24 Feb 2026 | Afternoon | Super 8 – Match 7 | Pallekele Stadium, Kandy |
| 24 Feb 2026 | Night | Super 8 – Match 8 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
⚠️ The teams in each match (e.g., “Y1 vs Y4”) will be determined once the Group Stage rankings are complete.
🟣 Semi-Finals – Dates & Venues
The two semi-final matches are scheduled to be played in major cricket venues:
| Semi-Final | Date | Time (Local) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-Final 1 | 4 March 2026 | Evening | Eden Gardens, Kolkata (if India or other teams qualify) |
| Semi-Final 1 (Alternate) | 4 March 2026 | Evening | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (if Pakistan qualifies) |
| Semi-Final 2 | 5 March 2026 | Evening | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
These venues were selected for their crowd capacity, history of big matches, and logistical readiness.
🏁 The Final – Date & Venue
| Event | Date | Time (Local) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final | 8 March 2026 | Night | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
🎉 The Narendra Modi Stadium will host the title decider, showcasing the world’s best T20 teams in front of one of the largest crowds in cricket history.
If Pakistan qualifies for the final, the championship match will instead be held at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo due to hosting arrangements.
🧠 How the Super 8 Format Works
✔ Each of the 8 teams will play 3 matches against teams they didn’t meet in the group stage.
✔ This creates eight high-intensity matches where rankings matter.
✔ The top four teams from Super 8 standings move to the semi-finals.
✔ Points, net run rate, and head-to-head results determine advancement.
This structure ensures every match counts and maintains competitive drama throughout the tournament.
🔥 Key Notes for Fans
📍 Pakistan will play most of its matches in Sri Lanka due to hosting arrangements.
📍 Matches are scheduled across eight major cricket stadiums in India and Sri Lanka.
📍 India vs Pakistan on 15 February 2026 in Colombo is a key marquee match.
❓ FAQs – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
1. When will the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 start?
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will start on 7 February 2026 and end with the final on 8 March 2026.
2. Which countries are hosting the T20 World Cup 2026?
The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
3. How many teams are playing in the T20 World Cup 2026?
A total of 20 international teams are taking part in the tournament.
4. How many matches will be played in the T20 World Cup 2026?
Around 55 matches will be played, including group matches, Super 8 games, semi-finals, and the final.
5. What is the format of the T20 World Cup 2026?
The tournament format is:
- Group Stage
- Super 8 Stage
- Semi-Finals
- Final
6. How many teams qualify for the Super 8 stage?
The top two teams from each group qualify for the Super 8 stage, making 8 teams in total.
7. Where will the Super 8 matches be played?
Super 8 matches will be played in India and Sri Lanka, mainly at venues like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Colombo, and Kandy.
8. Where will the semi-finals be held?
- One semi-final will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata or R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- The second semi-final will be played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
9. Where is the final of the T20 World Cup 2026?
The final is scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, with R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo as an alternate venue.
10. When is the India vs Pakistan match in T20 World Cup 2026?
The India vs Pakistan group match will be played on 15 February 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
11. What are the match timings for the T20 World Cup 2026?
Matches will be played in day and night slots, usually:
- Day: 11:00 AM / 1:30 PM
- Afternoon: 3:00 PM
- Night: 7:00 PM / 7:30 PM
(Local time depending on venue)
12. How many stadiums are being used in the tournament?
A total of 8 major international stadiums across India and Sri Lanka will host matches.
🏁 Final Conclusion – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be one of the largest and most exciting T20 tournaments in cricket history. With 20 teams, two host countries, and world-class stadiums, the competition promises thrilling matches from start to finish.
The combination of India’s high-energy venues and Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly conditions will test teams in different playing environments. From intense group-stage battles to the high-pressure Super 8 matches, followed by dramatic semi-finals and the grand final, every stage of the tournament will matter.
Big rivalries, including India vs Pakistan, along with opportunities for associate nations to shine, make this World Cup special. As the road leads to the final in March 2026, fans can expect entertainment, records, and unforgettable moments throughout the tournament.
Liam Thompson is a cricket regulations analyst who covers international and league-level rules in depth. He focuses on fielding laws, over-rate penalties, powerplay strategies, and updated ICC guidelines. Liam’s goal is to educate readers while keeping the excitement of the game alive.