The International Cricket Council (ICC) is scheduled to host the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka after the recently concluded Women’s World Cup 2025. Notably, the upcoming T20 tournament will take place in tier-1 venues after using lesser-known grounds for the Women’s World Cup in India.
This marquee tournament will take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. A total of 20 teams will compete for the title for the second consecutive edition. Team India, which won the 2024 title with a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the final, will now try to defend its title on home soil.
T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled between February 6 and March 7 in India and Sri Lanka
20 teams will participate in the competition. Hosts India and Sri Lanka, along with the seven highest-placed teams from the previous edition (Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, United States and West Indies) qualified directly for the tournament.
Ireland, New Zealand and Pakistan secured their places based on their T20I team rankings. The remaining countries advanced through regional qualifiers. Canada led the way for the US, while Italy and the Netherlands led the way in Europe.
Namibia and Zimbabwe qualified through the Africa region. The final spots went to Oman, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates through the combined Asia and East Asia-Pacific qualifying route.
India ready to face Pakistan in Colombo…
According to a report by RevSportz, defending champions India are set to begin their World Cup campaign against the United States. The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is tentatively scheduled from February 7 to March 8.
Notably, the much-awaited encounter against Pakistan is expected to take place on February 15 in Colombo. India–Pakistan T20 World Cup matches remain one of the biggest attractions in world cricket due to the political background and huge fan interest surrounding the rivalry.
“India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the US, while their match against Pakistan is likely to be held in Colombo on February 15,” the report said.
“As per the provisional schedule, the 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will be played from February 7 to March 8.”
Wankhede and Narendra Modi stadiums to host T20 World Cup 2026 knockout matches
Colombo will host the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup only if either Sri Lanka or Pakistan qualifies for the last four. This position will remain a backup option if Pakistan reaches the final.
India last hosted a major ICC men’s event in 2023, when the ODI World Cup was played across nine cities: Dharamshala, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru.
It is reported that Mumbai may stage one of the semi-finals, while the final may be held in Ahmedabad on March 8. If Pakistan reaches the semi-finals, they will be assigned to Colombo.
Under the current ICC rights cycle, India and Pakistan have agreed to face each other only at neutral venues in multi-nation tournaments. The full schedule of the 2026 T20 World Cup is expected to be released soon.
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