T20 World Cup 2026 To Kick Off On Feb 7, Final At Ahmedabad Unless Pakistan Qualify: Report

Mumbai: The next edition of T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by defending champions India and Sri Lanka next year, is likely to begin on February 7.

The final will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, on March 8, according to a report in ESPNCricinfo.

However, if Pakistan qualify for the summit showdown, the match will be held in Colombo.

Neither India nor Pakistan are playing on each other’s soil due to strained political relations between the two governments. The upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup, also being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, has scheduled the final at Navi Mumbai or Colombo, depending on Pakistan’s qualification.

Like the 2024 T20 World Cup, the next edition will also feature 20 teams. Italy has already made the cut as a first-time qualifier.

Matches will be played in at least 5 venues in India and 2 in Sri Lanka.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has identified the dates, and has informed the participating nations, according to the report. The schedule is expected to be released in a few weeks’ time.

The 20 sides will be divided into four groups of five each, with the top two from each group qualifying for the Super 8 stage.

The top eight teams will then be divided into two groups of four each. The top two from each Super 8 group will then progress to the semifinals.

The Rohit Sharma-led Team India lifted the trophy last year, beating South Africa in the final in Bridgetown, Barbados. Rohit, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20 internationals after the high of being crowned champions.

2026 T20 WORLD CUP TEAMS

Fifteen teams sides have been confirmed so far – hosts India and Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, Netherlands and Italy.

Remaining 5 teams – 2 from Africa regional qualifier and 3 from Asia and East Asia Pacific qualifiers.