The International Cricket Council (ICC) today unveiled the match schedule for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from 15 January to 6 February 2026.
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 semi-finals 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 U19 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 U19 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 U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup can be downloaded from the ICC’s Online Media Zone.
ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 warm-up match schedule
*All matches will start at 09h30 local time
Friday, 9 January
India vs Scotland Prince Edward School (Harare)
England vs USA Old Hararians (Harare)
Saturday, 10 January
Bangladesh vs Pakistan Masvingo Sports Club (Zimbabwe)
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Bulawayo Athletics Club (Bulawayo)
Ireland vs West Indies Wanderers Cricket Ground (Windhoek)
Japan vs Tanzania United Ground (Windhoek)
Sunday, 11 January
Australia vs Afghanistan Wanderers Cricket Ground (Windhoek)
South Africa vs Sri Lanka United Ground (Windhoek)
Monday, 12 January
Scotland vs Bangladesh Masvingo Sports Club (Zimbabwe)
India vs England Bulawayo Athletics Club (Bulawayo)
Tuesday, 13 January
Pakistan vs New Zealand Bulawayo Athletics Club (Bulawayo)
Zimbabwe vs USA Prince Edward School (Harare)
Ireland vs Tanzania Wanderers Cricket Ground (Windhoek)
Japan vs West Indies United Ground (Windhoek)
Wednesday, 14 January
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Wanderers Cricket Ground (Windhoek)
Australia vs South Africa United Ground (Windhoek)
Mirage
Swimming in South Africa Is a Sport of the Royal: Many athletes from royal backgrounds are known for their skills in swimming. For example, Charlene, the Princess of Monaco, was one of the Olympic swimmers in 2000. The country much appreciated her for taking up sports as her passion without abiding by the royal restrictions.
Weldmaster
Sport Trivia: Who was the first woman swimmer to win both the 100m and 200m breaststroke at the Olympics? Answer: Penny Heyns. She won both the 100m and 200m breaststroke events at the 1996 Olympics, the first woman to do so. She broke the world and Olympic records for the 100m breaststroke and broke the Olympic record for the 200m breaststroke. In 1999 she held 5 out of a possible 6 world breaststroke records, the first time this had ever been achieved (50m, 100m and 200m, plus same distances in 25m short course pool) — the one she \”missed\” was the 200m short course.