U19 World Cup 2026 Full Schedule Released: India, Pakistan Placed in Separate Groups

The International Cricket Council has announced the official schedule for the 2026 Men’s Under-19 World Cup, which will feature Zimbabwe and Namibia as co-hosts. It will take place from January 15 to February 6, 2026. A total of 16 teams will participate in the World Cup in 41 matches over 23 days.

India and Pakistan have been drawn into separate groups for the U-19 World Cup in what is seen as an attempt to avoid any possible controversies related to their rivalry.

India will start its campaign against the United States on January 15.

Tournament Format & Groups

The formats for the Match are assigned as such: 4 teams in four groups-

• Group A: India, Bangladesh, USA, New Zealand
• Group B: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, Scotland
• Group C: Australia, Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka
• Group D: Tanzania, West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa

Tanzania makes its debut at the U-19 World cup, while Japan takes part in this tournament for the second instance, the first being in 2020.

All the league matches of India will be played at Bulawayo.

Fixtures of India at the Group Stage

January 15; India versus USA

January 17; India versus Bangladesh

January 24; India versus New Zealand

Tournament format

• The tournament will follow the format of a round-robin in the group stage.
• The top three teams of each group will qualify for the Super Six with the last two teams out.
• From the Super sixes, the winner of each group advances for the Semi-finals.

The winning side of the last two Semis entered for the Final clash.

Australia are the champions who were revoked for the 2024 year of cricket 2022 shortly in after defeating India in the final. Along with three runners-up times, India now holds the seven-time champion on five occasions, winning the ICC World Cup titles in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022.