India begin their T20 title defence against USA as ICC announces full fixtures for the mega event.

After the highs of that glorious evening in Barbados last year, the Indian team, a new look T20 team would want to etch themselves into the  history books by becoming the first team to defend their title when they kickstart their T20 world cup campaign against the USA in their opening game of the 2026 ICC world T20 in Mumbai on February 7th.

The 10th edition of the mega event, which sees a whopping 20 teams participating, will kick off with Pakistan and Netherlands taking on each other in Kandy and then West Indies taking on Bangladesh in Kolkata. Italy, the latest entry in the competition have already scripted history by qualifying for it, and the cricketing world will be keen to witness them causing a few hiccups in the tourney.

South Africa, who fell agonisingly short in the final of the last edition will open their campaign against Canada at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad while England, also two time winners, will take on Nepal in Mumbai on February 8 in their opening game.

South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and UAE are potentially clubbed in the group of death, AKA Group D.  Afghanistan played party spoilers last year and knocked out New Zealand, the subcontinent conditions will add to their strength as they have ample experience to knock off either of these teams. 

India and Pakistan are strong favourites to emerge on top from a group that consists of the USA, Netherlands and Namibia. USA did stun Pakistan in the previous edition and to avoid the rest of the tournament being played in Sri Lanka, Indian fans will hope for an encore . The marquee clash from this group featuring archrivals India and Pakistan will be played on February 15 in Colombo

Co hosts Sri Lanka are clubbed with Australia, Zimbabwe and Oman and its pretty easy as to who qualifies here.Zimbabwe, who missed out on the 2024 edition, open their campaign against Sri Lanka whereas Oman are the final team in the group.

And then, Group C. Two time champions England and West Indies will face each other at the Wankhede, and the last time they did that, the Chris Gayle storm blew the English away. Bangladesh and Italy complete the group.

Surya Kumar Yadav, in the event launch said that if given a chance, he would like a world cup final at Ahmedabad against Australia. Well, if that does happen, 140 crore Indians, who had their share of heartbreaks 2 years ago, will be more then eager to seek redemption.

Group A

India, Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands, USA

Group B

Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman

Group C

England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy

Group D

South Africa, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Canada, UAE.

Super Eight Group 1: 

X1 (India), X2 (Australia), X3 (West Indies), X4 (South Africa)

Super Eight Group 2: 

Y1 (England), Y2 (New Zealand), Y3 (Pakistan), Y4 (Sri Lanka)

                                             ICC world T20 2026 Fixtures.

February 7: Pakistan vs Netherlands in Colombo at 11:00 AM

February 7: West Indies vs Bangladesh in Kolkata at 3:00 PM

February 7: India vs USA in Mumbai at 7:00 PM

February 8: New Zealand vs Afghanistan in Chennai at 3:00 PM

February 8: England vs Nepal in Mumbai at 7:00 PM

February 8: Sri Lanka vs Ireland in Colombo at 7:00 PM

February 9: Bangladesh vs Italy in Kolkata at 11:00 AM

February 9: Zimbabwe vs Oman in Colombo at 3:00 PM

February 9: South Africa vs Canada in Ahmedabad at 7:00 PM

February 10: Netherlands vs Namibia in Ahmedabad at 11:00 AM

February 10: New Zealand vs UAE in Chennai at 3:00 PM

February 10: Pakistan vs UAE in Colombo at 7:00 PM

February 11: South Africa vs Afghanistan in Ahmedabad at 3:00 PM

February 11: Australia vs Ireland in Colombo at 7:00 PM

February 11: England vs West Indies in Mumbai at 7:00 PM

February 12: Sri Lanka vs Oman in Kandy at 3:00 PM

February 12: Nepal vs Italy in Mumbai at 7:00 PM

February 12: India vs Namibia in Delhi at 7:00 PM

February 13: Australia vs Zimbabwe in Colombo at 3:00 PM

February 13: Canada vs Namibia in Colombo at 7:00 PM

February 13: USA vs Netherlands in Chennai at 7:00 PM

February 14: Ireland vs Oman in Colombo at 11:00 AM

February 14: England vs Bangladesh in Kolkata at 3:00 PM

February 14: New Zealand vs South Africa in Ahmedabad at 7:00 PM

February 15: West Indies vs Nepal in Mumbai at 11:00 AM

February 15: USA vs Namibia in Chennai at 3:00 PM

February 15: India vs Pakistan in Colombo at 7:00 PM

February 16: Afghanistan vs UAE in Delhi at 11:00 AM

February 16: England vs Italy in Kolkata at 3:00 PM

February 16: Australia vs Sri Lanka in Kandy at 7:00 PM

February 17: New Zealand vs Canada in Chennai at 3:00 PM

February 17: Ireland vs Zimbabwe in Kandy at 7:00 PM

February 18: Bangladesh vs Nepal in Mumbai at 11:00 AM

February 18: South Africa vs UAE in Delhi at 3:00 PM

February 18: Pakistan vs Namibia in Colombo at 3:00 PM

February 18: India vs Netherlands in Ahmedabad at 7:00 PM

February 19: Italy vs West Indies in Kolkata at 3:00 PM

February 19: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in Colombo at 7:00 PM

February 20: Afghanistan vs Canada in Chennai at 3:00 PM

February 20: Australia vs Oman in Kandy at 7:00 PM

February 22: Y1 vs Y4 in Kandy at 3:00 PM

February 23: X2 vs X3 in Ahmedabad at 7:00 PM

February 24: Y2 vs Y3 in Mumbai at 7:00 PM

February 25: X1 vs X4 in Colombo at 7:00 PM

February 26: Y3 vs Y4 in Ahmedabad at 3:00 PM

February 27: X2 vs X4 in Chennai at 7:00 PM

February 28: Y1 vs Y2 in Colombo at 3:00 PM

March 1: X1 vs X3 in Kolkata at 7:00 PM

March 4: Semi Final 1 in Kolkata/Colombo (Time TBC)

March 5: Semi Final 2 in Mumbai (Time TBC)

March 8: Final in Ahmedabad/Colombo (Time TBC)