The excitement for cricket’s fastest format is building up as the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 approaches. This 10th edition of the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, promises high-octane action with 20 teams battling it out for glory. Kicking off on February 7, 2026, the event will feature thrilling group stage clashes, intense Super 8 battles, and culminate in a grand final on March 8, 2026. Drawing from the detailed schedule shared by Sports SuperFans on YouTube, here’s everything you need to know to gear up for the spectacle.
Participating Teams
A record 20 teams will compete, showcasing a mix of cricketing powerhouses and emerging nations. The lineup includes:
- Afghanistan
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- Canada
- England
- India
- Ireland
- Italy
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Oman
- Pakistan
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- United States (USA)
- West Indies
- Zimbabwe
These teams will be divided into groups, with the top performers advancing to the Super 8 stage.
Group Stage Schedule
The group stage runs from February 7 to February 20, 2026, with matches spread across iconic venues in India (Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Delhi) and Sri Lanka (Colombo, Kandy). All times are in local time (IST for India, SLST for Sri Lanka, which are the same). Here’s the full breakdown:
| Match No. | Date | Teams | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 7 | Pakistan vs Netherlands | 11:00 AM | Colombo |
| 2 | February 7 | West Indies vs Bangladesh | 3:00 PM | Kolkata |
| 3 | February 7 | India vs United States | 7:00 PM | Mumbai |
| 4 | February 8 | New Zealand vs Afghanistan | 11:00 AM | Chennai |
| 5 | February 8 | England vs Nepal | 3:00 PM | Mumbai |
| 6 | February 8 | Sri Lanka vs Ireland | 7:00 PM | Colombo |
| 7 | February 9 | Bangladesh vs Italy | 11:00 AM | Kolkata |
| 8 | February 9 | Zimbabwe vs Oman | 3:00 PM | Colombo |
| 9 | February 9 | South Africa vs Canada | 7:00 PM | Ahmedabad |
| 10 | February 10 | Netherlands vs Namibia | 11:00 AM | Delhi |
| 11 | February 10 | New Zealand vs UAE | 3:00 PM | Chennai |
| 12 | February 10 | Pakistan vs United States | 7:00 PM | Colombo |
| 13 | February 11 | South Africa vs Afghanistan | 11:00 AM | Ahmedabad |
| 14 | February 11 | Australia vs Ireland | 3:00 PM | Colombo |
| 15 | February 11 | England vs West Indies | 7:00 PM | Mumbai |
| 16 | February 12 | Sri Lanka vs Oman | 11:00 AM | Kandy |
| 17 | February 12 | Nepal vs Italy | 3:00 PM | Mumbai |
| 18 | February 12 | India vs Namibia | 7:00 PM | Delhi |
| 19 | February 13 | Australia vs Zimbabwe | 11:00 AM | Colombo |
| 20 | February 13 | Canada vs UAE | 3:00 PM | Delhi |
| 21 | February 13 | United States vs Netherlands | 7:00 PM | Chennai |
| 22 | February 14 | Sri Lanka vs Oman | 11:00 AM | Colombo |
| 23 | February 14 | England vs Bangladesh | 3:00 PM | Kolkata |
| 24 | February 14 | New Zealand vs South Africa | 7:00 PM | Ahmedabad |
| 25 | February 15 | West Indies vs Nepal | 11:00 AM | Mumbai |
| 26 | February 15 | United States vs Namibia | 3:00 PM | Chennai |
| 27 | February 15 | India vs Pakistan | 7:00 PM | Colombo |
| 28 | February 16 | Afghanistan vs UAE | 11:00 AM | Delhi |
| 29 | February 16 | England vs Italy | 3:00 PM | Kolkata |
| 30 | February 16 | Australia vs Sri Lanka | 7:00 PM | Kandy |
| 31 | February 17 | New Zealand vs Canada | 11:00 AM | Chennai |
| 32 | February 17 | Ireland vs Zimbabwe | 3:00 PM | Kandy |
| 33 | February 17 | Bangladesh vs Nepal | 7:00 PM | Mumbai |
| 34 | February 18 | South Africa vs UAE | 11:00 AM | Delhi |
| 35 | February 18 | Pakistan vs Namibia | 3:00 PM | Colombo |
| 36 | February 18 | India vs Netherlands | 7:00 PM | Ahmedabad |
| 37 | February 19 | West Indies vs Italy | 11:00 AM | Kolkata |
| 38 | February 19 | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | 3:00 PM | Colombo |
| 39 | February 19 | Afghanistan vs Canada | 7:00 PM | Chennai |
| 40 | February 20 | Australia vs Oman | 7:00 PM | Kandy |
Note: Match 22 appears as a repeat of Sri Lanka vs Oman in the source, but it’s listed separately—likely a continuation in the schedule.
Super 8 and Knockout Stages
Following the group stage, the top teams advance to the Super 8 phase, scheduled from February 21 to March 1, 2026. Specific match details for Super 8 will depend on qualifiers, but expect non-stop cricket across the host nations’ venues.
The tournament reaches its climax with:
- Semi-Finals: Dates to be confirmed based on Super 8 outcomes, likely early March.
- Final: March 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Ahmedabad or Colombo, featuring the two best teams vying for the coveted trophy.
Key Matches to Watch
- India vs Pakistan (Match 27, February 15): The arch-rivals clash in Colombo—always a blockbuster with fireworks on and off the field.
- England vs West Indies (Match 15, February 11): Defending champions England face the explosive West Indies in Mumbai.
- Australia vs Sri Lanka (Match 30, February 16): Hosts Sri Lanka take on powerhouse Australia in Kandy.
What to Expect
With venues like Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium and Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium set to host the action, fans can anticipate packed crowds, stunning sixes, and nail-biting finishes. As the tournament draws near, keep an eye on team squads and player form for deeper insights.
