The International Cricket Council is close to finalising plans for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, with a provisional schedule pointing to a February 7 to March 8 window.
India and Sri Lanka will share hosting duties, with matches spread across at least five venues in India and two in Sri Lanka.
The tournament will feature 20 teams, following the expanded format of the 2024 edition in the USA and West Indies. The larger field promises competitive cricket, combining traditional powerhouses with emerging nations.
Organisers continue to debate the venue for the final. Ahmedabad, which hosted the 2023 ODI World Cup final, and Colombo remain the leading contenders. If Pakistan reaches the title match, the final will most likely shift to Sri Lanka as a neutral venue.
So far, 15 teams have qualified: Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, USA, Ireland, Netherlands, Canada and Italy. Italy will make their debut in a senior ICC World Cup, marking a milestone for the European nation.
Regional qualifiers will decide the remaining five spots, with two places available for African teams and three for Asia and East Asia-Pacific.
The competition will mirror the 2024 format. Four groups of five teams will kick off the tournament, with the top two advancing to the Super Eight stage. From there, the top two in each group will progress to the semi-finals before the final showdown. In total, 55 matches are expected across the month-long event.
For Pakistan, a return to Sri Lanka for their fixtures could evoke memories of the 2012 T20 World Cup, when they reached the semi-finals in Colombo. Fans are now waiting for the official draw to confirm fixtures and possible high-stakes clashes, including a potential face-off with India.