ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup schedule announced

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today unveiled the match schedule for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from 15 January to 6 February 2026.

The countdown begins ⏲️

The fixtures for the Men's #U19WorldCup 2026 have been announced 🗓️https://t.co/34jVN6UZhv

Sixteen teams will compete across 41 matches, culminating in the final at the Harare Sports Club on 6 February.

The opening day will see India take on the USA, Zimbabwe face Scotland, and Tanzania mark their historic tournament debut against the West Indies. The competition will be played across five venues: Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Sports Club and Queens Sports Club in Zimbabwe, and the Namibia Cricket Ground and HP Oval in Namibia.

The tournament format features four groups of four, followed by a Super Six stage, leading into the semifinals and the title clash in Harare.

Defending champions Australia begin their campaign against Ireland on day two in Windhoek, while traditional rivals India and Bangladesh meet in one of the marquee early fixtures on 17 January in Bulawayo.

Ten teams earned automatic qualification based on their performance in the 2024 edition, joining hosts Zimbabwe. The remaining five teams clinched their places through regional qualification events, reflecting the expanding global footprint of the Under-19 pathway.

ICC Chairman, Mr Jay Shah said he was looking forward to the tournament, which will see the future stars of world cricket on display.

Mr. Shah said, "The ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has long been the cradle of greatness, a tournament that reveals not just the next generation of cricketers, but the next generation of icons. From Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya to Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith and Shubman Gill, the event has consistently shaped the future of our sport."

"As we look ahead to the 2026 edition in Zimbabwe and Namibia, we are excited to provide young cricketers with a world-class platform that mirrors the standards and pressures of senior international cricket. This tournament is where dreams are ignited, rivalries are born, and the global cricketing landscape begins to take its next form.

"We are especially pleased to welcome Tanzania as they make their debut and join a truly global field of teams. I extend my warmest wishes to all participating squads as they embark on this remarkable journey, representing their countries with pride and promise."

The full schedule of matches graphic for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup can be downloaded from the ICC’s Online Media Zone.

ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 warm-up match schedule

*All matches will start at 9:30am local time

Friday, 9 January India v Scotland Prince Edward School (Harare)

England v USA Old Hararians (Harare)

Saturday, 10 January Bangladesh v Pakistan Masvingo Sports Club (Zimbabwe)

Zimbabwe v New Zealand Bulawayo Athletics Club (Bulawayo)

Ireland v West Indies Wanderers Cricket Ground (Windhoek)

Japan v Tanzania United Ground (Windhoek)

Sunday, 11 January Australia v Afghanistan Wanderers Cricket Ground (Windhoek)

South Africa v Sri Lanka United Ground (Windhoek)

Monday, 12 January Scotland v Bangladesh Masvingo Sports Club (Zimbabwe)

India v England Bulawayo Athletics Club (Bulawayo)

Tuesday, 13 January Pakistan v New Zealand Bulawayo Athletics Club (Bulawayo)

Zimbabwe v USA Prince Edward School (Harare)

Ireland v Tanzania Wanderers Cricket Ground (Windhoek)

Japan v West Indies United Ground (Windhoek)

Wednesday, 14 January Afghanistan v Sri Lanka Wanderers Cricket Ground (Windhoek)

Australia v South Africa United Ground (Windhoek)

ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 match schedule

*All matches will start at 9:30 local time

Thursday, 15 January USA v India Queens Sports Club

Zimbabwe v Scotland Takashinga Sports Club

Tanzania v West Indies HP Oval Namibia

Friday, 16 January Pakistan v England Takashinga Sports Club

Australia v Ireland Namibia Cricket Ground

Afghanistan v South Africa HP Oval Namibia

Saturday, 17 January India v Bangladesh Queens Sports Club

Japan v Sri Lanka Namibia Cricket Ground

Sunday, 18 January New Zealand v USA Queens Sports Club

England v Zimbabwe Takashinga Sports Club

West Indies v Afghanistan HP Oval Namibia

Monday, 19 January Pakistan v Scotland Takashinga Sports Club

Sri Lanka v Ireland Namibia Cricket Ground

South Africa v Tanzania HP Oval Namibia

Tuesday, 20 January Bangladesh v New Zealand Queens Sports Club

Australia v Japan Namibia Cricket Ground

Wednesday, 21 January England v Scotland Takashinga Sports Club

Afghanistan v Tanzania HP Oval Namibia

Thursday, 22 January Zimbabwe v Pakistan Takashinga Sports Club

Ireland v Japan Namibia Cricket Ground

West Indies v South Africa HP Oval Namibia

Friday, 23 January Bangladesh v USA Takashinga Sports Club

Sri Lanka v Australia Namibia Cricket Ground

Saturday, 24 January India v New Zealand Queens Sports Club

A4 v D4 HP Oval Namibia

Sunday, 25 January S6 AD A1 v D3 Namibia Cricket Ground

S6 AD D2 v A3 HP Oval Namibia

Monday, 26 January B4 v C4 Harare Sports Club

S6 BC C1 v B2 Queens Sports Club

S6 AD D1 v A2 Namibia Cricket Ground

Tuesday, 27 January S6 BC C2 v B3 Harare Sports Club

S6 BC C3 v B1 Queens Sports Club

Wednesday, 28 January S6 AD A1 v D2 Harare Sports Club

Thursday, 29 January S6 AD D3 v A2 Queens Sports Club

Friday, 30 January S6 AD D1 v A3 Harare Sports Club

S6 BC B3 v C1 Queens Sports Club

Saturday, 31 January S6 BC B2 v C3 Harare Sports Club

Sunday, 1 February S6 BC B1 v C2 Queens Sports Club

Monday, 2 February No matches

Tuesday, 3 February Semi-Final 1 AD1 v BC2 Queens Sports Club

Wednesday, 4 February Semi-Final 2 BC1 v AD2 Harare Sports Club

Reserve Day (SF1) Queens Sports Club

Thursday, 5 February Reserve Day (SF 2) Harare Sports Club

Friday, 6 February Final Harare Sports Club

Saturday, 7 February Reserve Day (Final) Harare Sports Club