ICC Announces Schedule For U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup

Be prepared to witness a remarkable cricket duel! The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 will not only be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia, but it will also be huge. 16 inexperienced national teams from January 15 to February 6, 2026, will undergo a total of 41 very captivating encounters in their quest for the grand prize. The first day of the tournament is going to be full of thrilling battles—India vs. USA, Zimbabwe vs. Scotland, and Tanzania, which gets to be involved for the first time ever, vs. West Indies. Undoubtedly, these young ones have the guts, skills, and readiness to assert their supremacy in the limelight of the whole world.

The competition will be held in five beautiful locations that are ideally situated in both nations, thus turning it into a cricket festival that nobody would want to miss. No matter whether it is the historic grounds of Harare Sports Club or the lively atmosphere of the Namibia Cricket Ground, every location is bound to showcase mesmerizing cricket. The ultimate winner will be announced on February 6 at the glamorous Harare Sports Club. This tournament is not only about cricket but also a great opportunity to see the future’s legends emerge right before our eyes!

ICC Chairman Jay Shah voiced excitement for the competition:

The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 will be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6 with the participation of 16 teams and a total of 41 matches to be played in five different venues. The tournament will start with India vs. USA, Zimbabwe vs. Scotland, and the very first match of Tanzania against West Indies. The Harare Sports Club final will take place on February 6.

The reigning champions, Australia, will start playing against Ireland on January 16 while the India vs. Bangladesh longstanding rivalry will be renewed on January 17 in a key early encounter. The competition format consists of group stages followed by a Super Six phase, semi-finals, and the championship match in Harare.

From the 2024 edition, ten teams gained automatic qualification and joined the hosts, Zimbabwe, and five others received places through regional qualification. The teams will come on January 8 and play warm-up matches from January 9 to 14 as they gradually get used to the intense and very competitive tournament.

In Group A, the five-time winners, India, are placed with Bangladesh, the USA, and New Zealand. Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, and Scotland are in Group B. Australia, Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka make up Group C, while Tanzania, the West Indies, Afghanistan, and South Africa fill Group D.