The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins today, February 7, marking the start of a month-long global cricket tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The tournament will run until March 8 and will see 20 teams compete across 55 matches at venues in both countries.
The opening day schedule features three group-stage matches, setting the tone for the competition. The tournament opener has Pakistan taking on the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo in a Group A clash. This match officially kicks off the 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup.
Later in the day, West Indies face Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in a Group C encounter. Both sides will be looking to make a strong start in a group that also includes England, Scotland and Nepal.
The spotlight then shifts to Mumbai in the evening, where defending champions India begin their title defence against the United States at the Wankhede Stadium. The match is expected to draw significant attention, with India playing their opening fixture in front of a home crowd.
The tournament follows a structured format, with teams divided into four groups of five in the first round. Each team plays four matches, and the top two from each group advance to the Super 8 stage, followed by the semi-finals and the final on March 8.
Matches will be played across eight venues, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai in India, and Colombo and Kandy in Sri Lanka. The final venue will be confirmed closer to the closing stages.
With packed stadiums, major rivalries and an expanded field, the ICC says the 2026 T20 World Cup reflects the growing global reach of the format. Today’s opening fixtures mark the beginning of a high-intensity tournament that promises fast-paced cricket and fierce competition over the coming weeks.
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