The wait is finally over! The complete schedule for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, has been officially released, setting the stage for a month of thrilling T20 action. The tournament is scheduled to commence on February 7, 2026, and conclude with the final on March 8, 2026.
A total of 20 teams have been divided into four groups, and the draw has immediately delivered a mouth-watering Group 1 clash: India vs Pakistan!
India's Group Stage Fixtures
India's quest for the T20 World Cup title will begin at home, with the opening fixture of their campaign scheduled for Mumbai. The highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan will take place in Sri Lanka, as per the arrangement between the two boards.
| Date | Match | Venue |
| February 7 | India vs USA | Mumbai (Likely Tournament Opener) |
| February 12 | India vs Namibia | Delhi |
| February 15 | India vs Pakistan | Colombo |
| February 18 | India vs Netherlands | Ahmedabad |
With the top two teams from each group progressing, India and Pakistan are heavy favorites to secure the Super-8 spots from this group.
Tournament Structure and Groups
The tournament format mirrors the previous edition, with 20 teams competing in a Group Stage, followed by the Super-8 and the Knockout rounds. The top two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for the Super-8 stage.
The Four Groups of T20 World Cup 2026
The group distribution suggests some challenging early rounds for several top contenders:
| Group-1 | Group-2 | Group-3 | Group-4 |
| India | Australia | England | South Africa |
| Pakistan | Sri Lanka | West Indies | New Zealand |
| USA | Zimbabwe | Italy | Afghanistan |
| Namibia | Ireland | Bangladesh | UAE |
| Netherlands | Oman | Nepal | Canada |
Knockout Stage Venues: A Twist for the Final
The tournament will move into the crucial knockout stage after the Super-8 rounds.
Semi-Finals
Mumbai and Kolkata have been shortlisted as the host cities for the two semi-finals. However, a major conditional clause has been added to the arrangement:
- If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, their match will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, meaning Kolkata would likely lose its hosting rights in that scenario.
The Grand Final
The final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled for March 8 at the world's largest cricket stadium: the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
However, just like the semi-finals, a contingency plan is in place for the final:
- If Pakistan reaches the final, the summit clash will be moved to the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
This special arrangement ensures Pakistan plays all their matches at neutral venues (i.e., outside of India), a move designed to accommodate the political complexities between the two nations.
