The schedule for the 2026 ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has been unveiled, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter as Zimbabwe and Namibia prepare to co-host the prestigious 16-team tournament. Set to run from 15 January to 6 February 2026, the competition will span 23 days and feature 41 matches played across five venues in Harare, Bulawayo, and Windhoek. The event highlights the ICC’s continued commitment to expanding global youth cricket while offering emerging talents from around the world a platform to showcase their skills on an international stage.
The tournament will follow a streamlined structure designed to balance fairness and competitiveness. Sixteen teams will be divided into four groups of four, with the top three sides from each group progressing to the Super Six stage. These 12 teams will then be placed into two new groups, carrying forward points earned against qualifying teams from their initial group. The top two nations from each Super Six group will advance to the semi-finals, culminating in the final at Harare Sports Club on 6 February, with a reserve day in place should weather intervene.
Matches will be contested across a mix of iconic and developing cricket venues. Harare Sports Club and Takashinga Sports Club will serve as Zimbabwe’s primary hosts, complemented by the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Namibia will stage fixtures at the Namibia Cricket Ground and the HP Oval in Windhoek, underscoring the nation’s growing capabilities as a major cricketing destination. Together, the two countries aim to deliver a tournament that not only produces memorable cricket but also strengthens the sport’s footprint across southern Africa.
The opening day promises immediate intensity, with India beginning their campaign against the USA at Queens Sports Club, Zimbabwe facing Scotland in Harare, and the West Indies taking on Tanzania in Windhoek. The early fixtures continue with Pakistan meeting England, Australia clashing with Ireland, and South Africa facing Afghanistan the following day. India’s highly anticipated encounter against Bangladesh is set for 17 January, adding further significance to the tournament’s early stages as traditional youth cricket powerhouses measure their strength.
With reserve days set for both semi-finals and the final, the ICC has ensured that crucial matches are protected from disruption, safeguarding the integrity of the competition. The 2026 edition is expected to be one of the most globally diverse in recent memory, with teams from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas competing for the title. As preparations accelerate, anticipation continues to build for a tournament that blends rising international talent, regional cricket development, and the unique atmosphere of southern Africa’s cricketing venues.