India will kick off their campaign at the ICC Under-19 Men's ODI World Cup 2026 against USA, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially unveiled the tournament schedule.
The upcoming edition of the youth World Cup will be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026, featuring 16 teams battling across 41 matches over 23 action-packed days.
India, the most successful side in the tournament's history with five titles, will face the USA in the tournament opener. The opening day will also see host nation Zimbabwe take on Scotland, while Tanzania clash with the West Indies. Interestingly, traditional rivals India and Pakistan have been drawn into separate groups, meaning fans will have to wait until the later
stages for any potential high-voltage encounter between the two.
According to the new format, the top three teams from each of the four groups will progress to the Super Six stage, forming two groups of six teams each. The top two sides from both groups will then qualify for the semifinals. To ensure smooth conduct of the knockout fixtures, reserve days have been kept for both semifinals and the final, with the title clash scheduled to take place at the Harare Sports Club.
ICC U19 World Cup Teams and Groups
Group A: India, Bangladesh, USA, New Zealand
Group B: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, Scotland
Group C: Australia, Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka
Group D: Tanzania, West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa
ICC U19 World Cup 2026 Schedule
USA vs India, 15 January, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Zimbabwe vs Scotland, 15 January, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
Tanzania vs West Indies, 15 January, HP Oval, Windhoek
Pakistan vs England, 16 January, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
Australia vs Ireland, 16 January, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Afghanistan vs South Africa, 16 January, HP Oval, Windhoek
India vs Bangladesh, 17 January, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Japan vs Sri Lanka, 17 January, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
New Zealand vs USA, 18 January, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
England vs Zimbabwe, 18 January, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
West Indies vs Afghanistan, 18 January, HP Oval, Windhoek
Pakistan vs Scotland, 19 January, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
Sri Lanka vs Ireland, 19 January, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
South Africa vs Tanzania, 19 January, HP Oval, Windhoek
Bangladesh vs New Zealand, 20 January, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Australia vs Japan, 20 January, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
England vs Scotland, 21 January, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
Afghanistan vs Tanzania, 21 January, HP Oval, Windhoek
Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, 22 January, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
Ireland vs Japan, 22 January, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
West Indies vs South Africa, 22 January, HP Oval, Windhoek
Bangladesh vs USA, 23 January, Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
Sri Lanka vs Australia, 23 January, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
India vs New Zealand, 24 January, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
A4 vs D4, 24 January, HP Oval, Windhoek
Super Six A1 vs D3, 25 January, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Super Six D2 vs A3, 25 January, HP Oval, Windhoek
B4 vs C4, 26 January, Harare Sports Club, Harare
Super Six C1 vs B2, 26 January, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Super Six D1 vs A2, 26 January, Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Super Six C2 vs B3, 27 January, Harare Sports Club, Harare
Super Six C3 vs B1, 27 January, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Super Six A1 vs D2, 28 January, Harare Sports Club, Harare
Super Six D3 vs A2, 29 January, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Super Six D1 vs A3, 30 January, Harare Sports Club, Harare
Super Six B3 vs C1, 30 January, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Super Six B2 vs C3, 31 January, Harare Sports Club, Harare
Super Six B1 vs C2, 1 February, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
First Semi-final, 3 February, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Second Semi-final, 4 February, Harare Sports Club, Harare
Final, 6 February, Harare Sports Club, Harare
