India Placed in Group A as ICC Announces U19 World Cup 2026 Schedule
ICC announces U 19 World Cup 2026 schedule, India in Group A, tournament begins January 15 across Zimbabwe and Namibia
The ICC has released the full schedule for the 2026 U 19 World Cup, and fans already have plenty to look forward to. The event will begin on January 15, 2026, with 16 teams fighting for the title across Zimbabwe and Namibia.
India, led by young captain Ayush Mhathre, has been drawn into Group A with USA, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. The tournament will open with India facing USA at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, a fixture that is expected to bring strong interest from fans back home.
India will keep a close eye on Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has been marked as one of the key players to watch this season. Coaches believe he can shape India’s campaign with both skill and temperament.
Zimbabwe and Namibia will host matches across five venues. Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Sports Club, and Queens Sports Club will handle games in Zimbabwe. Namibia will use Namibia Cricket Ground and HP Oval. Both nations are also getting ready to co host the 2027 ODI World Cup along with South Africa, making this event a big test for their facilities.
The format will follow the usual pattern. The league stage will run first. The top teams will then move to the Super Six round, followed by semi finals and the final.
Australia, placed in Group C with Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka, will enter the event as defending champions. They won the last edition with a strong all round squad and will hope to repeat that run. Group B features hosts Zimbabwe along with Pakistan, England, and Scotland, while Group D includes Tanzania, West Indies, Afghanistan, and South Africa.
Fans in India will be eager to see how this young side performs. The team has a mix of fresh talent and strong leadership under Mhathre. Many believe this group has the potential to go deep into the tournament if they start well.
Below is the final group list shared by ICC.
- Group A: India, USA, Bangladesh, and New Zealand.
- Group B: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, and Scotland.
- Group C: Australia, Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka.
- Group D: Tanzania, West Indies, Afghanistan, and South Africa.
With the schedule now announced, teams will begin their final round of preparation. India’s opening match will set the tone, and supporters will hope for a confident start from the young side.
