The T20 World Cup 2026 is the 10th edition of the tournament and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka last hosted the T20 World Cup in 2012. India hosted the 2016 edition of the tournament. India was supposed to host the tournament in 2021; however, it was held in the UAE and Oman due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
The tournament is scheduled to start on February 7, and a total of 20 teams will be a part of the competition. The final will be played on March 8. It will be the second time the tournament has 20 teams. These teams have been divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will move to the Super 8.
Which Teams Are in Group A?
India, the defending champions and the co-host, is in group A. The other four teams in the group are Pakistan, the United States, the Netherlands, and Namibia. India, Pakistan, and the United States were in Group A at the last World Cup as well.
India, being the co-host, qualified directly for the tournament. The United States was among the top seven teams in the 2024 T20 World Cup and earned direct entry. Pakistan qualified for the tournament through their rankings.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2026: SWOT Analysis of India
The Netherlands won the 2025 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Regional Final to qualify for the tournament. They finished in first place in the tournament with three wins in four matches.
Namibia finished as runner-up in the 2025 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final and qualified for the tournament. Namibia faced Zimbabwe in the final and scored 167 runs for the loss of six wickets. Zimbabwe chased down the target of 168 runs in 19.2 overs with seven wickets in hand. Both teams have qualified for the T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe is placed in Group B.
Top 2 Teams Most Likely to Qualify from Group A
India and Pakistan are the two teams that are most likely to qualify from Group A. However, in 2024, the United States shocked everyone by defeating Pakistan in the group stage and qualifying for the Super 8. It is the reason the United States has qualified directly this year. Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, and they are a much more experienced side at those venues than the other three teams in the group.
Which Grounds Will Group A Matches Be Played At?
These are the venues where the Group A matches be played:
In India
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Wankhede will host a single Group A match between India and the United States. Namibia will play two matches in Delhi. The first one against India and the second against the Netherlands. In Chennai, the United States will take on the Netherlands in the first Group A game and will face Namibia here. At the Narendra Modi Stadium, only one Group A match will be played: India and the Netherlands.
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In Sri Lanka
- R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo
Pakistan will play all four of their matches in Colombo. They will take on the Netherlands, the United States, and Namibia at the SSC Cricket Ground. The high-voltage India vs Pakistan match will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
