By Waqar Ali Shah, Sports Business Correspondent | FEB 07, 2026 |ย Sports
The T20 World Cup schedule for 2026 is officially in motion. Jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, this tournament is already delivering massive shocks and historic firsts. Whether you are looking for the knockout dates or the latest group standings, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Quick Summary:
- Dates: February 7 โ March 8, 2026.
- Hosts: India and Sri Lanka (55 matches total).
- Todayโs Result: Pakistan defeated the Netherlands by 3 wickets in a nail-biting opener at Colombo.
- Major Update: Pakistan will officially forfeit their Feb 15 match against India. India will receive 2 points, making Pakistanโs remaining games must-wins.
- Tournament Format: 20 teams divided into 4 groups. Top 2 from each advance to the Super 8s.
- The Final: March 8, 2026, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Full T20 World Cup Schedule: Group Stage
The T20 World Cup schedule below reflects the most current fixture list.
Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia
| Date | Match | Venue | Result/Status |
| Feb 7 | Pakistan vs Netherlands | SSC, Colombo | PAK won by 3 wickets |
| Feb 7 | India vs USA | Wankhede, Mumbai | 7:00 PM IST |
| Feb 10 | Pakistan vs USA | SSC, Colombo | 7:00 PM IST |
| Feb 12 | India vs Namibia | Arun Jaitley, Delhi | 7:00 PM IST |
| Feb 15 | India vs Pakistan | Colombo | Forfeit (India +2 Points) |
| Feb 18 | India vs Netherlands | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM IST |
Knockout Stage Timings
- Super 8 Stage: February 21 โ March 1
- Semi-Final 1: March 4 (Kolkata)
- Semi-Final 2: March 5 (Mumbai)
- The Final: March 8 (Ahmedabad)
Why This T20 World Cup is Historic
To understand why this T20 World Cup schedule is trending globally, you need to look at three key factors:
1. The India-Pakistan Points Drama
Due to the diplomatic decision by the Pakistan government, the mother of all matches on Feb 15 will not happen. For the first time in World Cup history, a team is voluntarily giving up points. This makes the Group A table incredibly volatile, as Pakistan now has zero room for error.
2. Italy’s Debut & Bangladesh’s Absence
In a massive shake-up, Italy is making their debut in the T20 World Cup schedule, appearing in Group C. Conversely, Bangladesh is missing from the tournament for the first time in history, with Scotland taking their spot.
3. Subcontinent Venue Mastery
The tournament is split across eight venues. While the spin-friendly tracks of Chennai and Colombo favor the home nations, the high-scoring boundaries in Mumbai and Ahmedabad ensure that fans get the big hitting T20 action they crave.
FAQ
What happens if a team forfeits a match in the T20 World Cup?
According to ICC rules, the opposing team is awarded a victory and 2 points. The forfeiting team receives a 0-run score for NRR (Net Run Rate) calculations.
Where is the T20 World Cup final being played?
The final is set for March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the worldโs largest cricket stadium.
Can I watch the matches for free?
In India, fans can stream matches for free on mobile via the JioHotstar app, while TV viewers can tune into Star Sports.
Is Pak qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026?
Pakistan’s cricket team has been cleared to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, but will not play its game against India, the government of Pakistan says.
Is the Netherlands cricket team strong?
Among the teams that are most likely to cause an upset at this T20 World Cup, Netherlands sit firmly at the top of the list. They have done it before, starting their first-ever T20 World Cup appearance by beating England in 2009, and more recently, outplaying South Africa and Bangladesh at the 2023 ODI World Cup
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