The ICC unveiled the full tournament schedule yesterday, confirming that the two-time champions will open their campaign on February 7 against Bangladesh at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens. The opening day also features Pakistan vs Netherlands in Colombo, and co-hosts India beginning their title defence against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The world’s largest cricket venue, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, will host the final on March 8, with semi-finals scheduled for Kolkata and Mumbai—though knockout venues could shift to Colombo should Pakistan qualify or face India.
Unveiling the schedule, ICC chairman Jay Shah said the subcontinent was set for “another global spectacle” across eight host venues, highlighting the T20 format’s continued global rise ahead of its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Two-time T20 World Cup winner Rohit Sharma, newly named ICC Brand Ambassador, reflected on the format’s most iconic moments—from Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in Durban to Suryakumar Yadav’s tournament-changing catch in Barbados last year. “Every match in a World Cup is big,” he said. “It’s great to have the tournament back in India.”
The 2026 edition maintains the 20-team layout from 2024, featuring four groups of five, with the top two advancing to the Super Eights.
T20 World Cup Groups
Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
West Indies Fixtures – 2026 T20 World Cup
Feb 7: West Indies vs Bangladesh — Kolkata, 3 p.m.
Feb 11: West Indies vs England — Mumbai, 7 p.m.
Feb 15: West Indies vs Nepal — Mumbai, 11 a.m.
Feb 19: West Indies vs Italy — Kolkata, 11 a.m.