The groups for the 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, have been finalised. The two hosts have landed contrasting group draws for the tournament, which will run from February 7 to March 8 next year.

India have been placed in a relatively comfortable group. Pakistan share the same view, although Sri Lanka find themselves in one of the toughest groups. With this draw, India and Pakistan have been in the same group for every ICC event since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Sri Lanka, ranked No. 8 in the ICC standings, are grouped with Australia (No. 2), Zimbabwe (No. 11), Ireland (No. 12) and Oman (No. 20). The presence of 3 Test-playing nations in one group makes it one of the strongest in the tournament.

India and Pakistan, meanwhile, are the only Test-playing teams in their pool. They are grouped with the Netherlands (No. 13), Namibia (No. 15) and the USA (No. 18). India and Pakistan are expected to reach the Super Eight stage after seeing the group but it’s important to note that the USA pulled off an upset against Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup. 

The tournament will have 4 groups of 5 teams each and more than one group fits the “group of death” tag. 

England (No. 3), West Indies (No. 6) and Bangladesh (No. 9) are drawn together with Nepal (No. 17) and Italy (No. 28). Update: Bangladesh have been replaced by Scotland in this group.

In another tough pool, South Africa (No. 5) face New Zealand (No. 4) and Afghanistan (No. 10), with UAE (No. 16) and Canada (No. 18).

2026 T20 World Cup Groups 

GROUP	TEAMS
Group A	India, Pakistan, Netherlands, Namibia, USA
Group B	Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
Group C	England, West Indies, Scotland, Nepal, Italy
Group D	South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada

India will open their title defence against the USA, followed by matches against Namibia, Pakistan and the Netherlands. As agreed earlier, the India-Pakistan match will take place in Colombo. Matches in India will be played in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and Ahmedabad. Kandy joins Colombo as a venue in Sri Lanka. 

Ahmedabad is scheduled to host the final, unless Pakistan qualify. In that case, Colombo will stage the final. Mumbai and Kolkata are in line to host the semifinals, depending on qualification scenarios, while Colombo is shortlisted for one semifinal.

The format is the same as the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight. The top four sides from that stage will reach the semifinals. And the two winners of the semifinals will play the final of the 2026 T20 World Cup. 

The ICC is expected to release the full schedule soon, with an unveiling event likely in Mumbai on November 25. India will enter the tournament as defending champions after beating South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados.

Check out all the venues of the 2026 T20 World Cup in our coverage here.