Dubai, November 25, 2025: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the schedule and groupings for the T20 World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
A total of 20 teams will compete, divided into five groups of four. The top two sides from each group will progress to the Super Eight, which will feature two groups of four teams each.
Defending champions India have been placed in the same group as arch-rivals Pakistan, with Netherlands, Namibia and the USA completing the lineup. Co-hosts Sri Lanka face a tougher group alongside Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman.
Another pool features England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy and Nepal, while the final group includes South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE and Canada.
Pakistan will play entire tournament in Sri Lanka. The event will open with a double-header with Pakistan facing Netherlands in Colombo while India kicking off its campaign against USA in Mumbai.
Pakistan’s second match on February 10 will be against the USA, who famously upset them in the 2024 edition.
The much-awaited India–Pakistan showdown will take place on February 15 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. Their final group match is set for February 18 against Namibia.
Under the Fusion Formula, which prevents India and Pakistan from touring each other for ICC events for three years, Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka.
If they qualify for the knockouts, the semi-finals and final will remain in Colombo; otherwise, the matches will be hosted in Kolkata (semi-finals) and Ahmedabad (final).
The Super Eight round will run from February 21 in Colombo to March 1 in Kolkata.
Tournament’s first semi-final will be played on 3rd March while second semifinal is scheduled to be played on 5th March 2026.
Final will be played on March 8 in Ahmedabad or Colombo, depending on Pakistan’s progression.
