The ICC has unveiled the schedule for the 2026 Men’s U-19 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6. India will kick off their campaign against USA in the tournament opener, with all their group stage matches to be played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.​

Tournament Format

The 16th edition of the competition will feature 16 teams divided into four groups, playing 41 matches over 23 days. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, where they’ll be split into two groups of six. Points, wins, and net run rate earned against other qualifying teams will carry forward.​

The knockout stage comprises two semi-finals and a final, with reserve days available for all three matches. The final will be held at Harare Sports Club on February 6.​

Group Stage Draw

Group A: India, USA, Bangladesh, New Zealand

Group B: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, Scotland

Group C: Australia (defending champions), Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka

Group D: Tanzania, West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa​

India’s Schedule

India will play all their group stage matches at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo:

January 15: India vs USA (Tournament opener)

January 17: India vs Bangladesh

January 24: India vs New Zealand​

Five Venues Across Two Nations

Matches will be played across five venues:

Zimbabwe (25 matches including both semi-finals and final):

Harare Sports Club (7 matches including Semi-final 2 and Final)

Takashinga Sports Club (7 matches)

Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo (11 matches including Semi-final 1)

Namibia (16 matches):

Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek (8 matches)

HP Oval, Windhoek (8 matches)​

Tournament Debuts and Returns

The 2026 edition marks the tournament debut of Tanzania, who will open their campaign against West Indies on the first day. Japan return to the competition after featuring in the 2020 edition.​

The opening day’s fixtures include:

India vs USA

Zimbabwe vs Scotland

Tanzania vs West Indies​

Warm-Up Matches

Teams will have warm-up fixtures from January 9-14 before the tournament officially begins on January 15.​

Super Six Format

The Super Six stage uses an innovative format where the top three teams from Group A and D combine into one group, while the top three from Group B and C form another. Teams only play opponents from the corresponding group who finished in different group stage positions.​

For example, the Group A winner (A1) will only play D2 and D3 in the Super Six stage, carrying forward points from their group stage meeting with the third qualifier.​

Fourth-Place Playoff

The fourth-placed teams in Groups A and D will face each other, while the fourth-placed teams in Groups B and C will also meet in placement matches.​

Defending Champions

Australia are the defending champions, having won the 2024 edition in South Africa. They’re placed in Group C alongside Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka.​

With India’s strong U-19 pedigree—they’ve won the tournament a record five times—and a favorable group draw, expectations will be high for the young Indian side to make a deep run in Zimbabwe and Namibia.