The International Cricket Council has released the schedule of the upcoming ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026.

The 16th edition of the tournament will be played in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6 next year.

The last edition of the tournament was played in 2024 in South Africa, with Australia emerging as the champions by beating India in the finals by 79 runs.

USA and India will have a face-off in the tournament opener on January 15 at Queens Sports Club.

Team Pakistan will kick off their campaign by taking on England on January 16.

“The tournament format remains the same as in previous iterations, with 16 teams divided into groups of four in the first stage. 41 matches will be played in the tournament over 23 days,” said ICC.

“This will be followed by the Super Six phase, wherein the top three-ranked sides from the aforementioned groups will be divided into two groups of six. The knockout stage will follow, comprising two semi-finals and a final.”

Teams are divided into the following groups:

Group A: Australia, Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka.

Group B: India, Bangladesh, the USA, and New Zealand.

Group C: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, and Scotland.

Group D: Tanzania, the West Indies, Afghanistan, and South Africa.