A total of 20 teams will compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, according to the official ICC media release.
India and Sri Lanka are hosting the tournament together. This guide covers all participating teams, their groups, seedings, and how they qualified for the event.
How Many Teams Are Playing In ICC T20 World Cup 2026?
The tournament features 20 teams from five continents. This is the same number that played in the 2024 edition.
All 20 Participating Teams (Alphabetical Order)
- Afghanistan
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- Canada
- England
- India
- Ireland
- Italy
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Oman
- Pakistan
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- United Arab Emirates
- United States of America
- West Indies
- Zimbabwe
The list includes traditional cricket nations and newer teams making their mark on the world stage.
Italy, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and Namibia bring fresh competition to the tournament.
These teams qualified through regional competitions held across different continents.
The diverse field makes this World Cup one of the most competitive editions in T20 history.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Groups (Official ICC Announcement)
The ICC has divided the 20 teams into four groups of five teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage. This format was successful in 2024 when India won the trophy in Barbados.
Official Groups for ICC T20 World Cup 2026
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Group A features the marquee India-Pakistan match, which will be played in Colombo on February 15, 2026.
All Group B matches will take place in Sri Lanka since the co-hosts are in that group. Pakistan’s matches will also be played in Sri Lanka.
Breakdown Of Teams In ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Here’s a closer look at each of the 20 participating teams:
1. India
India are the defending champions and co-host. They won titles in 2007 and 2024. Rohit Sharma has been named ICC Brand Ambassador for this tournament.
Suryakumar Yadav now leads the T20 side. They open against the USA at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Home advantage and passionate crowds give India a strong edge in this tournament.
2. Pakistan
Pakistan won the T20 World Cup in 2009 and reached the 2022 final. All their matches will be played in Sri Lanka due to political considerations.
Their bowling attack is world-class with quality fast bowlers and spinners. Salman Agha is the current captain of the team and leads a team known for unpredictability and match-winning individual performances. Pakistan can beat any team on their day.
3. Australia
Australia are the 2021 T20 World Cup champions with a strong tournament record. They compete in Group B alongside co-hosts Sri Lanka. Known for raising their game in big tournaments, they combine experienced players with young talent.
Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Glenn Maxwell provide match-winning abilities. Their fielding standards are among the highest in world cricket.
4. England
England won the T20 World Cups in 2010 and 2022. They revolutionized white-ball cricket with fearless, aggressive batting. Harry Brook leads a lineup packed with big hitters and destructive players.
Their bowling has quality pace and spin options. Many English players have IPL experience, which helps in subcontinental conditions. They start their campaign against Nepal in Mumbai.
5. West Indies
The West Indies are one of the most successful T20 World Cup teams with titles in 2012 and 2016. Caribbean players excel in T20 cricket with natural power-hitting and athletic fielding.
However, internal issues and franchise league priorities have weakened the national team recently. Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer bring excitement. Individual brilliance can still win matches for them.
6. South Africa
South Africa have never won a T20 World Cup despite talented squads. They reached the 2024 final before losing to India. Their fast bowling is excellent, with quality spinners supporting.
Quinton de Kock, David Miller, and Aiden Markram provide experience in pressure situations. Fitness and fielding standards are exceptional. Breaking their ICC trophy drought remains their biggest motivation.
7. New Zealand
New Zealand consistently reach ICC tournament semifinals and finals. They play smart, disciplined cricket with well-executed game plans. Mitchell Santner leads by example as one of cricket’s best all-rounders.
Their bowling attack balances pace and spin effectively. Sharp fielding and few mistakes define their style. A smaller player pool means injuries hurt them more than bigger nations.
8. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka are co-host and the 2014 T20 World Cup champions. All Group B matches will be played in Sri Lanka, giving them home advantage. Young talent has emerged after difficult post-retirement years.
Wanindu Hasaranga is one of T20 cricket’s best leg-spinners. Passionate fans will pack stadiums. Home conditions and crowd support could inspire deep tournament runs.
9. Afghanistan
Afghanistan have become competitive in T20 cricket with world-class spinners. Rashid Khan leads an attack that excels on slow pitches. They’ve upset England, Pakistan, and Australia recently.
Fast bowlers Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi add variety. Batting has improved through franchise cricket experience. Playing in India and Sri Lanka suits their style perfectly.
10. Bangladesh
Bangladesh have appeared in all nine editions of the T20 World Cup so far. Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy provide stroke-playing ability.
Their bowling combines pace and spin effectively. Strong in home-like conditions, they’ve beaten major teams in bilateral series. Mental strength in close matches has improved significantly.
11. United States Of America
The USA shocked the cricket world by beating Pakistan in 2024 and reaching the Super 8. They co-hosted the 2024 tournament. Many squad members have heritage connections to cricket-playing countries.
Aaron Jones showed impressive hitting power. Playing India in Mumbai will be an incredible experience. Cricket is growing in America ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
12. Netherlands
The Netherlands has caused World Cup upsets before, beating South Africa in 2022. Dutch cricket has a long history dating back to the 19th century. Their squad mixes Dutch-born players with those having cricket-heritage connections.
They play smart, disciplined cricket with careful planning. Athletic fielding saves crucial runs. Competing in Group A with India and Pakistan will be challenging.
13. Ireland
Ireland gained full ICC membership in 2017 after beating Pakistan, England, and the West Indies previously. Paul Stirling brings power-hitting, while Andrew Balbirnie provides experienced leadership.
They don’t have big-nation resources but compensate with fighting spirit. Young players add energy to the squad. Group B offers opportunities to cause upsets against Australia, Sri Lanka, and others.
14. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe cricket has faced financial and political challenges, but continues producing talent. Sikandar Raza was nominated for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year in 2022. Young players are rebuilding the team.
Spin bowling is effective on slow pitches. They’ve beaten top teams before and have World Cup experience. Group B competition will be tough but manageable.
15. Oman
Oman qualified through the Asian region qualifiers. They’ve invested in cricket infrastructure and development programs. Many players have heritage connections to India and Pakistan.
They competed in the 2021 T20 World Cup, gaining valuable experience. Athletic fielding and improved bowling are strengths. Playing in Group B offers great learning opportunities against Australia and Sri Lanka.
16. Italy
Italy is making their historic T20 World Cup debut. They qualified through European qualifiers, becoming the first Italian team to reach this stage. The squad includes players with various cricket-heritage backgrounds.
The Italian Cricket Federation has developed youth programs and domestic competitions. Group C features England, the West Indies, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Every achievement will boost Italian cricket’s profile.
17. Nepal
Cricket is hugely popular in Nepal with passionate, loud fan support. Sandeep Lamichhane was the first Nepali in the IPL, though legal issues affected his career. The team plays with energy and passion despite limited resources.
They’ve competed in several ICC tournaments, gaining experience. Playing in India feels almost like home. Group C offers chances against World Cup winners.
18. Namibia
Namibia reached the 2021 T20 World Cup Super 12 stage. Gerhard Erasmus leads as their best all-rounder. They beat Ireland, the Netherlands, and Scotland in 2021. Bowling is their strength, with disciplined run-restricting
Their small population produces dedicated cricketers. Group A includes India, Pakistan, the USA, and the Netherlands. Experience from 2021 helps handle pressure situations.
19. Canada
Canada competed in the first-ever international cricket match in 1844. They’ve qualified for multiple ODI World Cups but seek T20 success. Immigrant communities from cricket-playing countries bring diverse talent.
Cricket competes with ice hockey and basketball for attention. Group D features South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and the UAE. Strong performances would boost cricket’s Canadian profile significantly.
20. United Arab Emirates
UAE benefits from hosting international cricket in Dubai and Abu Dhabi stadiums. Many players have cricket-heritage backgrounds from the diverse population. They competed in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Disciplined bowling makes scoring difficult for opponents. Batting needs more consistency. Group D includes South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan, requiring their best performances.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 – Full Schedule (Complete List)
The complete schedule for the T20 World Cup is listed below.
1. Group Stage Matches
| Date | Match | Teams | Venue | (IST) | (EST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 7 | 1st Match | Pakistan vs Netherlands | SSC, Colombo | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 7 | 2nd Match | West Indies vs Bangladesh | Kolkata | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 7 | 3rd Match | India vs USA | Mumbai | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 8 | 4th Match | New Zealand vs Afghanistan | Chennai | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 8 | 5th Match | England vs Nepal | Mumbai | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 8 | 6th Match | Sri Lanka vs Ireland | Premadasa, Colombo | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 9 | 7th Match | Bangladesh vs Italy | Kolkata | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 9 | 8th Match | Zimbabwe vs Oman | SSC, Colombo | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 9 | 9th Match | South Africa vs Canada | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 10 | 10th Match | Netherlands vs Namibia | Delhi | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 10 | 11th Match | New Zealand vs UAE | Chennai | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 10 | 12th Match | Pakistan vs USA | SSC, Colombo | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 11 | 13th Match | South Africa vs Afghanistan | Ahmedabad | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 11 | 14th Match | Australia vs Ireland | Premadasa, Colombo | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 11 | 15th Match | England vs West Indies | Mumbai | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 12 | 16th Match | Sri Lanka vs Oman | Kandy | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 12 | 17th Match | Nepal vs Italy | Mumbai | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 12 | 18th Match | India vs Namibia | Delhi | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 13 | 19th Match | Australia vs Zimbabwe | Premadasa, Colombo | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 13 | 20th Match | Canada vs UAE | Delhi | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 13 | 21st Match | USA vs Netherlands | Chennai | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 14 | 22nd Match | Ireland vs Oman | SSC, Colombo | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 14 | 23rd Match | England vs Bangladesh | Kolkata | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 14 | 24th Match | New Zealand vs South Africa | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 15 | 25th Match | West Indies vs Nepal | Mumbai | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 15 | 26th Match | USA vs Namibia | Chennai | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 15 | 27th Match | India vs Pakistan | Premadasa, Colombo | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 16 | 28th Match | Afghanistan vs UAE | Delhi | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 16 | 29th Match | England vs Italy | Kolkata | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 16 | 30th Match | Australia vs Sri Lanka | Kandy | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 17 | 31st Match | New Zealand vs Canada | Chennai | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 17 | 32nd Match | Ireland vs Zimbabwe | Kandy | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 17 | 33rd Match | Bangladesh vs Nepal | Mumbai | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 18 | 34th Match | South Africa vs UAE | Delhi | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 18 | 35th Match | Pakistan vs Namibia | SSC, Colombo | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 18 | 36th Match | India vs Netherlands | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 19 | 37th Match | West Indies vs Italy | Kolkata | 11:00 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Feb 19 | 38th Match | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Premadasa, Colombo | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 19 | 39th Match | Afghanistan vs Canada | Chennai | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 20 | 40th Match | Australia vs Oman | Kandy | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
2. Super 8 Stage Matches
| Date | Match | Teams | Venue | (IST) | (EST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 21 | 41st Match | Y2 vs Y3 | Premadasa, Colombo | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 22 | 42nd Match | Y1 vs Y4 | Kandy | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 22 | 43rd Match | X1 vs X4 | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 23 | 44th Match | X2 vs X3 | Mumbai | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 24 | 45th Match | Y1 vs Y3 | Kandy | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 25 | 46th Match | Y2 vs Y4 | Premadasa, Colombo | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 26 | 47th Match | X3 vs X4 | Ahmedabad | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Feb 26 | 48th Match | X1 vs X2 | Chennai | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 27 | 49th Match | Y1 vs Y2 | Premadasa, Colombo | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Feb 28 | 50th Match | Y3 vs Y4 | Kandy | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Mar 1 | 51st Match | X2 vs X4 | Delhi | 3:00 PM | 4:30 AM |
| Mar 1 | 52nd Match | X1 vs X3 | Kolkata | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
3. Knockout Stage
| Date | Match | Venue | (IST) | (EST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 4 | 1st Semifinal | Kolkata or Premadasa, Colombo* | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Mar 5 | 2nd Semifinal | Mumbai | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
| Mar 8 | Final | Ahmedabad or Premadasa, Colombo* | 7:00 PM | 8:30 AM |
The final match venue can change if Pakistan qualifies for the finals.
Related Reads:
Conclusion: The 20-Team Format In The 2026 T20 World Cup
Teams from five continents will compete across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka. The group stage begins on February 7, 2026, and the final will be played on March 8 at either Ahmedabad or Colombo.
Understanding the groups and seedings helps fans follow the tournament structure and predict potential matchups.
With defending champions India, multiple former winners, and exciting new teams, this World Cup promises high-quality cricket throughout.
The subcontinent’s passionate cricket fans will create an incredible atmosphere at every match. Six different champions in less than two decades shows how competitive T20 cricket has become.
FAQs
Twenty teams are playing: India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, USA, Netherlands, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman, Italy, Nepal, Namibia, Canada, and UAE.
There are four groups of five teams each. The top two teams from each group advance to the Super 8 stage, creating two more groups of four teams.
India (2007, 2024), Pakistan (2009), England (2010, 2022), West Indies (2012, 2016), Sri Lanka (2014), and Australia (2021) have won T20 World Cup titles.
All of Pakistan’s matches will be played in Sri Lanka. If they reach the semifinals or final, those matches will also be held in Colombo.
Italy is making their T20 World Cup debut. They qualified by winning the European regional qualifiers, becoming the first European team to reach a men’s T20 World Cup.
