ICC announces schedule for Men's U19 World Cup 2026

Zimbabwe and Namibia will co-host the ICC U19 World Cup 2026.

The International Cricket Council, on November 19, 2025, announced the schedule for the Men’s ICC U19 World Cup 2026. This edition of the tournament will feature the best up-and-coming talent from the competing teams and will be held from January 15 to February 6, 2026, in Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Harare Sports Club (Harare, Zimbabwe), Takashinga Sports Club (Harare), Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe), Namibia Cricket Ground (Windhoek, Namibia), and HP Oval (Windhoek) will be the venues for the ICC U19 World Cup 2026.

16 teams are split up into groups of four in the first stage of the competition, which follows the same format as earlier versions. 41 matches will be played in the tournament over 23 days.

On the first day of the 16-team competition, Zimbabwe plays Scotland, Tanzania plays the West Indies, and India plays the United States. Tanzania will be participating in the event for the first time, and Japan, which competed in the 2020 edition, is also returning.

“Excited to provide young cricketers with a world-class platform”- ICC president Jay Shah on ICC U19 World Cup 2026

The group stage will be followed by the Super Six stage, where the top three sides from the previously mentioned groups will be divided into two groups of six. The knockout stage will follow, comprising two semi-finals and a final. Reserve days are available for these three games.

Jay Shah, the chairman of the ICC, expressed his excitement for the competition, which will feature the next generation of cricket players.

“The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has long been the cradle of greatness, a tournament that reveals not just the next generation of cricketers, but the next generation of icons. From Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya to Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Shubman Gill, the event has consistently shaped the future of our sport.

As we look ahead to the 2026 edition in Zimbabwe and Namibia, we are excited to provide young cricketers with a world-class platform that mirrors the standards and pressures of senior international cricket. This tournament is where dreams are ignited, rivalries are born, and the global cricketing landscape begins to take its next form,” Shah said as per ICC.

“We are especially pleased to welcome Tanzania as they make their debut and join a truly global field of teams. I extend my warmest wishes to all participating squads as they embark on this remarkable journey, representing their countries with pride and promise,” he added.

The countdown begins ⏲️The fixtures for the Men's #U19WorldCup 2026 have been announced 🗓️https://t.co/34jVN6UZhv

— ICC (@ICC) November 19, 2025

Groups of the Men’s ICC U19 World Cup 2026:

Group A: India, Bangladesh, the USA, New Zealand

Group B: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, and Scotland

Group C: Australia, Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka

Group D: Tanzania, the West Indies, Afghanistan, and South Africa

ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 Tournament schedule:

15 January, USA v India, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

15 January, Zimbabwe v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

15 January, Tanzania v West Indies, HP Oval, Windhoek

16 January, Pakistan v England, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

16 January, Australia v Ireland, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

16 January, Afghanistan v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek

17 January, India v Bangladesh, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

17 January, Japan v Sri Lanka, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

18 January, New Zealand v USA, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

18 January, England v Zimbabwe, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

18 January, West Indies v Afghanistan, HP Oval, Windhoek

19 January, Pakistan v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

19 January, Sri Lanka v Ireland, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

19 January, South Africa v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek

20 January, Bangladesh v New Zealand, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

20 January, Australia v Japan, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

21 January, England v Scotland, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

21 January, Afghanistan v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek

22 January, Zimbabwe v Pakistan, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

22 January, Ireland v Japan, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

22 January, West Indies v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek

23 January, Bangladesh v USA, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

23 January, Sri Lanka v Australia, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

24 January, India v New Zealand, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

24 January, Super Six A4 v D4, HP Oval, Windhoek

25 January, Super Six A1 v D3, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

25 January, Super Six D2 v A3, HP Oval, Windhoek

26 January, Super Six B4 v C4, Harare Sports Club, Harare

26 January, Super Six C1 v B2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

26 January, Super Six D1 v A2, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

27 January, Super Six C2 v B3, Harare Sports Club, Harare

27 January, Super Six C3 v B1, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

28 January, Super Six, A1 v D2, Harare Sports Club, Harare

29 January, Super Six D3 v A2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

30 January, Super Six D1 v A3, Harare Sports Club, Harare

30 January, Super Six B3 v C1, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

31 January, Super Six B2 v C3, Harare Sports Club, Harare

01 February, Super Six B1 v C2, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

03 February, First semi-final, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

04 February, Second semi-final, Harare Sports Club, Harare

06 February, Final, Harare Sports Club, Harare

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