T20 World Cup Fixtures Released, SA in Group with NZ

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed the full fixture list and group draw for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.

The tournament is due to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March next year.

The event opens with defending champions India facing the United States (US) on 7 February in Mumbai as they Indians begin their bid to become the first side to retain the title.

Twenty teams are participating and have been split into four pools of five teams.

The competition will be played across eight venues, including Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata in India, and Colombo and Kandy in Sri Lanka. A total of 40 group-stage matches will run until 20 February, before the top two sides from each pool progress to the Super Eights where they will be placed into two groups of four teams, based on pre-tournament seedings.

The top four teams emerging from the Super Eights will move into the semifinals. The final is scheduled for 8 March in either Ahmedabad or Colombo.

The draw has several headline clashes, most notably India’s meeting with Pakistan on 15 February in Colombo.

Group A features India, Pakistan, US, Netherlands, and Namibia. Group B includes Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman. Group C brings together England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, and Nepal and Group D contains South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.

South Africa, the losing finalists in the last tournament, start their campaign against Canada on 9 February in Ahmedabad.

ICC chairman Jay Shah said fans could expect vibrant crowds and high-intensity cricket, noting the region’s deep passion for the sport. ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta added that the tournament’s expanded field and global spread promise one of the most competitive editions yet.