T20 World Cup 2026: India and Sri Lanka Host, But Big Matches Canceled

The T20 World Cup 2026 is coming to India and Sri Lanka. There will be 55 games. But, the match between India and Pakistan is canceled. Bangladesh will not play in the tournament. Italy is playing for the first time.
By Newsroom | Cricket, World Events |

The upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, presents a detailed yet intricate schedule of 55 matches. The tournament, featuring 20 teams, is set to commence on February 7, 2026, and conclude with the final on March 8, 2026. However, even before the first ball is bowled, the event is marked by significant pre-tournament developments, including team exclusions and a notable fixture cancellation.

The tournament structure divides teams into four groups of five, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super 8 stage. Matches are scheduled across various venues in India, including Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, and in Sri Lanka, with games set to be played in Colombo and Kandy. Commentary will be provided by a roster of esteemed former players and cricket personalities.

Tournament Structure and Schedule

The 2026 T20 World Cup is organized into a group stage followed by a knockout phase.

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  • Group Stage: 20 teams are divided into four groups (A, B, C, D). Each team plays every other team in its group once.

  • Group A: India, Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands, USA

  • Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman

  • Group C: England, West Indies, Scotland, Nepal, Italy

  • Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE

  • Super 8 Stage: The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to this stage.

  • Knockout Rounds: Following the Super 8s, semi-finals and a final will determine the champion.

The tournament spans from February 7 to March 8, 2026, with multiple matches scheduled daily during the group phase. Key fixtures include the opening match between Pakistan and Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, and England's opening game against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8.

Notable Fixture and Team Developments

Several significant events have shaped the landscape of the T20 World Cup 2026 even before its commencement.

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  • India vs. Pakistan Match Cancellation: The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan, originally scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, has been cancelled. Reports indicate this is due to a boycott by Pakistan.

  • Bangladesh Exclusion: Bangladesh has been removed from the tournament. The reason cited is their refusal to play in India.

These developments add a layer of complexity and intrigue to the tournament's narrative, impacting the competitive balance and fan anticipation.

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Venue Allocation and Broadcast Details

The tournament will be hosted across multiple stadiums in India and Sri Lanka, providing a diverse backdrop for the matches.

  • Indian Venues: Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai).

  • Sri Lankan Venues: R Premadasa Stadium and SSC Cricket Ground (Colombo), Pallekele Cricket Stadium (Kandy).

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Globally, the tournament will be accessible through various broadcast partners. ICC.TV is noted for delivering a comprehensive viewing experience, with a panel of renowned commentators including Ravi Shastri, Nasser Hussain, Ian Smith, and Ian Bishop. Former T20 World Cup winners like Kumar Sangakkara and Carlos Brathwaite are also part of the commentary team. The tournament will be livestreamed on the JioCinema app and website.

Commentary and Expert Insights

A distinguished panel of commentators has been assembled to provide expert analysis and coverage for the T20 World Cup 2026.

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  • Esteemed Commentators: Ravi Shastri, Nasser Hussain, Ian Smith, and Ian Bishop.

  • Former Champions: Aaron Finch, Dinesh Karthik, Kumar Sangakkara, Samuel Badree, Robin Uthappa, and Carlos Brathwaite.

The presence of these experienced voices aims to enhance the viewing experience, offering deep insights into the game.

Debutants and Qualifying Teams

The 2026 edition will see a new team making its debut in the T20 World Cup, expanding the global reach of the tournament.

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  • Debutants: Italy has qualified for the T20 World Cup for the first time. Their inclusion is a result of their performance in the Europe Qualifier.

  • Qualification Pathways: Teams have qualified through various means, including host nation status (India, Sri Lanka), performance in the previous T20 World Cup, T20I rankings, and regional qualifying tournaments.

This blend of established cricketing nations and emerging teams promises a competitive and diverse tournament.

Conclusion and Implications

The T20 World Cup 2026 is poised to be a significant event in the international cricket calendar. The extensive fixture list, the geographical spread of venues across India and Sri Lanka, and the inclusion of 20 teams highlight the tournament's growing scale. However, the pre-tournament controversies surrounding the cancellation of the India-Pakistan match and Bangladesh's exclusion introduce an unusual dimension. These events raise questions about geopolitical influences on international sports and the integrity of the competition's structure. The subsequent stages of the tournament, particularly the knockout rounds, will be closely watched to see how these pre-existing conditions might influence the overall narrative and outcome.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is the T20 World Cup 2026?
It is in India and Sri Lanka.
Q: How many teams are playing?
Twenty teams will play in the tournament.
Q: What big matches are canceled?
The game between India and Pakistan is canceled.
Q: Is Bangladesh playing?
No, Bangladesh is not playing in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Q: Which team is new?
Italy will play in the T20 World Cup for the first time.