The Indian Under-19 cricket team is set to embark on their 2026 ICC U-19 Men's Cricket World Cup journey with an opening match against the United States on January 15 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. This exciting edition of the youth tournament will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia, running from January 15 to February 6. The event will feature 16 teams, divided into four groups, competing in 41 matches over a span of 23 days.
India is positioned in Group A, sharing the stage with the USA, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. The young Men in Blue will showcase their talent at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, facing the USA on January 15, Bangladesh on January 17, and New Zealand on January 24. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, setting the stage for the semi-finalists to emerge.
Group B consists of Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, and Scotland. Defending champions Australia headline Group C, joined by Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Group D features South Africa, the West Indies, Afghanistan, and debutants Tanzania. The most successful teams from each group will move forward, with the Super Six phase filtering the finalists for the ultimate showdown.
The tournament will unfold across five key venues: Harare Sports Club and Takashinga Sports Club in Harare, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, and two venues in Windhoek, Namibia—the Namibia Cricket Ground and HP Oval. The semi-finals are slated for February 3 and 4, culminating in the grand final at Harare Sports Club on February 6. To ensure uninterrupted play, reserve days are allocated for all knockout matches.
India remains the most successful team in the history of the U-19 World Cup, boasting five titles. The squad, under new leadership, aims to uphold their illustrious record, focusing on dominance at the youth level and continuing the legacy of nurturing future cricket stars.
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