SA to open against Afghanistan as U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 groups and fixtures announced

The schedule for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 has been officially released.

The 16th edition of the tournament will be jointly hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe and is set to showcase the world's finest up-and-coming cricket talent.

The competition will run from 15 January to 6 February 2026, featuring 41 matches over 23 days.

South Africa's opening match is scheduled against Afghanistan on 16 January at the HP Oval in Namibia.

The tournament format remains consistent with previous iterations: 16 teams will be divided into four groups in the first stage.

Shah: The Cradle of Greatness

ICC Chairman, Jay Shah, expressed his anticipation for the event, highlighting its role in developing future cricket stars.

"The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has long been the cradle of greatness, a tournament that reveals not just the next generation of cricketers, but the next generation of icons,"said Shah.

"From Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya to Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Shubman Gill, the event has consistently shaped the future of our sport."

Shah also emphasised the platform the tournament provides for young players.

"As we look ahead to the 2026 edition in Zimbabwe and Namibia, we are excited to provide young cricketers with a world-class platform that mirrors the standards and pressures of senior international cricket. This tournament is where dreams are ignited, rivalries are born, and the global cricketing landscape begins to take its next form.”

Tournament Debut and Returning Teams

The 16-team tournament begins on 15 January with three matches:

India takes on the USA.

Zimbabwe goes up against Scotland.

Tanzania takes on the West Indies.

This edition marks Tanzania's tournament debut, while Japan, who previously featured in the 2020 edition, also returns.

"We are especially pleased to welcome Tanzania as they make their debut and join a truly global field of teams," Shah added. "I extend my warmest wishes to all participating squads as they embark on this remarkable journey, representing their countries with pride and promise."

The participating teams are due to arrive on 8 January, with warm-up matches scheduled from 9–14 January.

The 16 teams have been divided into the following groups:

Group A: India, Bangladesh, USA, New Zealand
Group B: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, Scotland
Group C: Australia, Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka
Group D: Tanzania, West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa