T20 World Cup 2026 Group A: Teams, Preview, Schedule, Prediction

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 opens with Group A, as this pool pits defending champions India against fierce rivals Pakistan, 2024 co-hosts USA, qualifier stars Netherlands, and Africa's strong Namibia.

The Indian team will take on USA on the opening day, while Pakistan are also in action against the Netherlands on the same day.

T20 World Cup 2026 Group A Teams

India

Suryakumar Yadav leads the title holders with a loaded lineup. Standouts include pace ace Jasprit Bumrah, versatile all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and aggressive batsmen Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. Their spin options, like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, give them an edge on spin-friendly surfaces.

Pakistan

Salman Ali Agha captains Pakistan's balanced 15-man squad. Babar Azam anchors batting, backed by explosive Fakhar Zaman

and Saim Ayub. Pace led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah; spinners Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan shine.

USA

Fresh from 2024 exploits, Monank Patel's team mixes global know-how with local flair, featuring all-rounder Corey Anderson and spinner Harmeet Singh for potential shock results in easier fixtures. Saurav Netravalkar will be key with the ball for them.

Netherlands

Under Scott Edwards, they lean on versatile performers like Bas de Leede and Logan van Beek. Qualifier success showcased their control, with Aryan Dutt's off-spin troubling elite batsmen.

Namibia

Gerhard Erasmus heads a tough outfit boasting David Wiese's savvy and JJ Smit's big hits. Ruben Trumpelmann's seamers lead a bowling unit that excels in swing, positioning them as surprise packages.

Contenders

India arrive as top dogs, sitting No. 1 in T20I rankings and flawless in 2024. Home soil and squad balance should see them cruise to the top spot.

Pakistan poses the biggest threat despite patchy results, their seamers fitting Sri Lanka's pitches perfectly. USA and Netherlands eye upsets, but Namibia's qualifier grit could snag vital wins. Pundits like Ravi Shastri call India the standout, yet flag Pakistan's big-game menace.

T20 WC 2026 Group A Schedule

• February 7: Pakistan vs Netherlands, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo (11:00 AM)
• February 7: India vs USA, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (7:00 PM)
• February 10: Namibia vs Netherlands, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (11:00 AM)
• February 10: Pakistan vs USA, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo (7:00 PM)
• February 12: India vs Namibia, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (7:00 PM)
• February 13: Netherlands vs USA, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (7:00 PM)
• February 15: USA vs Namibia, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (3:00 PM)
• February 15: India vs Pakistan, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (7:00 PM)
• February 18: Pakistan vs Namibia, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo (3:00 PM)
• February 18: India vs Netherlands, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (7:00 PM)

Prediction

India should rule the group with a perfect record, using their spinners and big bats to overwhelm foes. Pakistan are expected to be in the mix as well. USA will be hoping to replicate their last edition heroics when they beat Pakistan in 2024, while the Dutch and Namibians can cause an upset as well.

Who will advance to Super 8s?

India, Pakistan