T20 World Cup 2026 Format and Match Schedule to Be Announced Soon

January 30, 2026 • Al Jazeera

T20 World Cup 2026 Format and Match Schedule to Be Announced Soon

Here is the rewritten news article in a neutral newsroom style:

The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) T20 World Cup 2026 will take place from February 7 to March 8. The tournament, which features 20 teams, has been expanded since its last edition in 2024. However, Bangladesh was expelled from the tournament due to their refusal to travel to India for security concerns.

Scotland replaced Bangladesh as part of the team list change. The teams have been divided into four groups of five teams each: Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D. The tournament will consist of two group-based rounds and a knockout round, including semifinals and the final.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 8 stage, where they will be divided into two groups of four teams each. The two best-performing Super 8 teams will enter the semifinals.

Five stadiums in India and three in Sri Lanka will host the tournament. The venues for all fixtures, except one semifinal and the final, have been confirmed by the ICC. If India qualifies for the semifinals, they will play at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 28. Pakistan’s match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on March 4 is also scheduled.

Here is a list of all matches:

India:

  • Netherlands vs Pakistan (February 7, 11am GMT) - SSC, Colombo
  • Scotland vs West Indies (February 7, 3pm GMT) - Eden Gardens, Kolkata
  • India vs USA (February 7, 7pm GMT) - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Sri Lanka:

  • Netherlands vs Pakistan (February 7, 11am GMT) - SSC, Colombo
  • Sri Lanka vs Ireland (February 7, 7pm GMT) - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

India:

  • Afghanistan vs New Zealand (February 8, 11am GMT) - MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
  • England vs Nepal (February 8, 3pm GMT) - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
  • India vs Namibia (February 8, 7pm GMT) - Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi

Sri Lanka:

  • Sri Lanka vs Ireland (February 8, 11am GMT) - Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
  • Sri Lanka vs Oman (February 8, 3pm GMT) - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

India:

  • Scotland vs Italy (February 8, 11am GMT) - Eden Gardens, Kolkata
  • Canada vs South Africa (February 8, 7pm GMT) - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Sri Lanka:

  • Sri Lanka vs Oman (February 8, 11am GMT) - Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
  • Sri Lanka vs Ireland (February 8, 3pm GMT) - R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Source: Al Jazeera