The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off this week, with India and Sri Lanka co-hosting cricket’s biggest T20 spectacle. The opening day promises early fireworks, with Pakistan facing the Netherlands, the West Indies taking on Scotland, and defending champions India beginning their title defence against the USA.
With packed stadiums, prime-time clashes and global viewership, the tournament is set to deliver three weeks of high-octane cricket. A total of 20 teams are competing in the 2026 T20 World Cup, reflecting the rapid growth of the format worldwide.
The line-up features traditional powerhouses such as India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies and Pakistan, alongside emerging forces like Afghanistan, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Nepal, Canada and UAE. Italy, Zimbabwe, Oman and Ireland complete a diverse field that adds unpredictability to the group stage.
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Former England captain Michael Vaughan has already named his four semi-final picks, backing India, England, New Zealand and Australia to go deep in the tournament. His prediction underlines the strength and experience of the traditional heavyweights, although T20 World Cups are known for springing surprises when form, conditions and momentum collide.
My 4 T20 World Cup semi finalists will be … India , England , NZ & Australia … #OnOn #India
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 2, 2026
Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is chasing a slice of history. No team has ever successfully defended a T20 World Cup title, and no host nation has lifted the trophy on home soil. With India, England and West Indies the only teams to have won the tournament more than once, the 2026 edition offers India a rare chance to break multiple records at once.
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Placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia, India begin their campaign against the USA at Wankhede Stadium before facing Namibia in New Delhi. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in Colombo remains under a cloud, with uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation adding an unexpected layer of drama. India round off their group fixtures against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad.
The 20 teams are divided into four groups of five, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super 8s. From there, the race to the semi-finals, scheduled for March 4 and 5, will intensify as teams push for a place in the business end of the tournament.
