MUMBAI, India — India will open its T20 World Cup title defense on February 7, 2026, against the United States in Mumbai, as the International Cricket Council released the full schedule for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The tenth edition of the global event will begin earlier that day in Colombo with Pakistan facing the Netherlands. Later, Bangladesh will meet the West Indies in Kolkata before India begins its campaign under the lights in Mumbai.
A special administrative provision agreed to earlier this year between India and Pakistan will determine the venues for the semifinals and final depending on Pakistan’s progression through the tournament, adding a unique wrinkle to the 2026 competition.
India and Pakistan headline Group A, joined by the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. Both India and Pakistan are widely projected to advance, though the United States’ stunning upset of Pakistan in the previous tournament remains a cautionary reminder that there are no guarantees.
The highly anticipated India-Pakistan match is scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. India will play its other group matches in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.
Sri Lanka will begin its campaign in Group B alongside Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman. Australia opens against Ireland, while Zimbabwe returns to World Cup play in a marquee matchup against the co-hosts.
Group C is anchored by England and the West Indies, and also features Bangladesh along with first-time qualifiers Italy and Nepal. England and the West Indies are set to meet on February 11 in Mumbai. Italy’s tournament debut adds a historic dimension to the group.
Group D is widely viewed as the most difficult of the four. Afghanistan, South Africa, and New Zealand — all semifinalists in 2024 — will battle for advancement, with Canada and the UAE rounding out the field. Key matchups between South Africa and Afghanistan, and New Zealand and South Africa, are both slated for Ahmedabad.
The top two teams from each group will reach the Super Eight stage, which will divide the eight qualifiers into two pools. The top two teams from each Super Eight group will then move on to the semifinals ahead of the championship match on March 8.
The tournament concludes on that date, when a new T20 World Cup champion — or a defending one — will be crowned. (Source: IANS)
