T20 World Cup 2026 Games Start in India and Sri Lanka

The Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is now happening in India and Sri Lanka. Teams are playing in the first part of the games. Some matches were very close and needed extra plays to find a winner. The games will finish on March 8, 2026.
By Newsroom | Cricket, World Cup |

The Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is underway, with teams battling in the initial group stages across India and Sri Lanka. Early matches have seen decisive victories and closely contested games, including a tie decided by a super over. The tournament, featuring 20 participating nations, is scheduled to conclude on March 8, 2026.

Tournament Structure and Groups

The 2026 T20 World Cup is divided into four groups for the initial phase, with five teams in each. The teams have been organized as follows:

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

  • 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

Following the group stage, teams will advance to the Super Eights, culminating in semi-finals and a final. The tournament is being played across multiple venues in India, including Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, and in Sri Lanka, with matches held in Colombo and Kandy.

Key Match Results and Occurrences

The group stage has already delivered notable outcomes. As of February 11, 2026, several matches have been completed:

Read More: Italy Beats Nepal in T20 World Cup Match

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  • Pakistan defeated Netherlands in the opening match.

  • West Indies secured a victory over Scotland.

  • India won against the USA.

  • New Zealand beat Afghanistan.

  • England achieved a win against Nepal.

  • Sri Lanka emerged victorious against Ireland.

  • Scotland defeated Italy.

  • Zimbabwe won against Oman.

  • South Africa secured a win against Canada.

  • Netherlands defeated Namibia.

  • UAE lost to New Zealand.

  • Pakistan won against USA.

  • South Africa and Afghanistan played a match that ended in a tie, with South Africa winning after a second super over.

  • Australia defeated Ireland.

  • England faced West Indies, with England securing a victory.

Match Schedule Highlights

The group stage is extensive, with numerous fixtures scheduled throughout February. Some upcoming and recent key matches include:

  • February 7, 2026: Multiple matches were played, including Netherlands vs. Pakistan, West Indies vs. Scotland, India vs. USA, Afghanistan vs. New Zealand, England vs. Nepal, and Sri Lanka vs. Ireland.

  • February 11, 2026: A notable match saw South Africa tie with Afghanistan, with South Africa eventually winning in a super over. Australia played Ireland, and England faced West Indies.

  • February 15, 2026: A highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan is scheduled.

Read More: Italy to Bowl First Against Nepal in T20 World Cup Match

The full tournament is set to run until March 8, 2026, with semi-finals on March 4 and March 5, and the final on March 8.

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Venues and Broadcast

Matches are being held across premier cricket grounds in India and Sri Lanka. The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is available for live streaming and broadcast, with specific details for different regions.

  • 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 International Cricket Stadium (Kandy).

Group Stage Performance Indicators

Early results suggest competitive performances across groups. Teams like South Africa, Australia, and England have recorded wins. The tied match between South Africa and Afghanistan highlights the potential for close contests.

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Expert Commentary and Previews

Commentary and analysis from figures such as Dinesh Karthik and Joy Bhattacharjya have been featured, discussing team performances and upcoming fixtures. For example, Glenn Maxwell's recent form was a topic of discussion, and Australia's campaign start against Ireland was noted.

Conclusion

The Men's T20 World Cup 2026 has commenced with a full schedule of matches across India and Sri Lanka. The group stage is producing varied results, including close finishes and decisive victories. With the tournament progressing through its initial phase, attention will shift to the Super Eights and subsequent knockout stages.

Sources

Read More: India vs Pakistan Match in T20 World Cup 2026 Will Happen

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is the T20 World Cup 2026 being played?
The games are in India and Sri Lanka.
Q: How many teams are playing?
Twenty teams are in the tournament.
Q: When does the World Cup end?
The final game is on March 8, 2026.
Q: What happened in the first games?
Some teams won easily, and one game was tied and needed extra plays.