2026 Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup
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The 2026 ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup, a thrilling international limited-overs tournament, unfolded in the vibrant landscapes of Zimbabwe and Namibia in early 2026. This marked the sixteenth edition of this prestigious event, with Australia entering as the formidable defending champions. The stage was set for an epic showdown, and in a captivating final, India triumphed over England by a commanding 100 runs, etching their name in history by clinching a record sixth Under-19 Cricket World Cup title.
The path to this grand spectacle began with qualification. The top ten teams from the preceding tournament earned automatic berths, joined by host nation Zimbabwe and the five triumphant winners of regional qualification tournaments. These intense regional qualifiers ran from February 25, 2024, to August 16, 2025, determining the other five coveted spots.
On January 8, 2026, the International Cricket Council unveiled the esteemed list of match referees and umpires who would officiate the tournament's crucial encounters.
Each competing nation meticulously selected a squad of fifteen players, excluding any reserves. Ireland proudly led the charge, being the first team to announce their formidable lineup on December 1, 2025.
The tournament format promised deep strategic play. Sixteen teams were initially divided into four groups. The top three finishers from each group advanced to the Super Six stage, a critical phase where the stakes intensified. Meanwhile, the fourth-placed teams from Groups A and D would face each other, and similarly, the fourth-placed teams from Groups B and C would compete in placement matches.
In the Super Six stage, the top three teams from Groups A and D were pooled together, while the top three from Groups B and C formed another competitive group. Crucially, teams carried forward their points, wins, and net run rate earned against other Super Six qualifiers. They then played two new matches against opponents from the corresponding group that finished in a different position during the group stage. For instance, the A1 team would only face D2 and D3, A2 would play D1 and D3, and so forth. This meant every team's Super Six performance would be evaluated based on the results of four matches. The top two teams from each Super Six group then earned their coveted spots in the semi-finals.
As November 2025 arrived, the ICC revealed the tournament venues. Zimbabwe was slated to host a significant 25 matches, including the high-octane semi-finals and the ultimate final. Namibia would host the remaining 16 fixtures, ensuring a widespread celebration of the sport.
The ICC also announced the warm-up fixtures alongside the complete tournament schedule on November 19, 2025, giving teams a final chance to fine-tune their strategies.
The group stage, comprising 24 exhilarating matches, was scheduled to captivate audiences from January 15 to 24, 2026. The ICC had already announced the groups and fixtures for this initial phase on November 19, 2025, setting the stage for the early drama.
The tournament then moved into the Super Six stage, where teams faced each other in a diagonal format. A1 would challenge D2 and D3, A2 would compete against D1 and D3, and A3 would go head-to-head with D1 and D2, creating intriguing matchups.
Following the intense Super Six battles, the knockout stage commenced, culminating in the semi-finals and the ultimate final, where champions were crowned.
The final standings reflected the culmination of weeks of fierce competition, with records being set and new heroes emerging. The notes section provided important context, while references and external links offered further avenues for exploration, including the series home at ESPNcricinfo for comprehensive coverage.
The 2026 ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup was an international limited-overs cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which was held in Zimbabwe and Namibia in early 2026. It was the sixteenth edition of the Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup. Australia were the defending champions.
In the final, India defeated England by 100 runs to win their record sixth Under-19 Cricket World Cup title.
== Qualification ==
The top ten teams from the previous tournament qualified automatically, along with host Zimbabwe and the five winners of regional qualification tournaments.
The regional qualification tournaments were held from 25 February 2024 to 16 August 2025. The other five places in the tournament were awarded to the winners of the five regional under-19 tournaments.
== Match officials ==
On 8 January 2026, the ICC released the list of match referees and umpires for the tournament.
== Squads ==
Each team selected a squad of fifteen players for the tournament, excluding reserves, with Ireland being the first team to name their squad on 1 December 2025.
== Format ==
16 teams are divided into four groups. The top three teams from each group advance to the Super Six stage. The fourth placed teams in Group A and D face each other, while the fourth-placed teams in Group B and C face each other in the placement stage.
In the super-six stage, the top three teams from Group A and D are combined in one group, with the top three teams from Group B and C combined in another group. Each team carries forward the number of points, wins, and net run rate they have earned against other Super 6 qualifying teams and will then play two matches in the Super 6 stage against the opponent from the corresponding group that finished in a different group stage position (i.e. the A1 team plays only D2 and D3 in the Super 6). Similarly, A2 plays only D1 and D3, and so forth. So, all team will be evaluated in Super six with results from 4 matches played.
The top two teams from each group in the super-six stage will qualify for the semi-finals.
== Venues ==
In November 2025, the ICC unveiled the list of venues for the tournament, with Zimbabwe set to host 25 matches, including both semi-finals and the final, while Namibia set to host the remaining 16 fixtures.
== Warm-up matches ==
The ICC announced the warm-up fixtures along with the complete tournament schedule on 19 November 2025.
== Group stage ==
The ICC announced the groups and fixtures on 19 November 2025, with the group stage, comprising 24 matches, scheduled to be played from 15 to 24 January 2026.
=== Group A ===
==== Points table ====
==== Fixtures ====
=== Group B ===
==== Points table ====
==== Fixtures ====
=== Group C ===
==== Points table ====
==== Fixtures ====
=== Group D ===
==== Points table ====
==== Fixtures ====
== 13th to 16th Place play-offs ==
== Super 6 ==
Teams will face each other in diagonal form in Super 6, which means A1 will face D2 and D3, A2 will face D1 and D3, and A3 will face D1 and D2.
=== Group 1 ===
==== Points table ====
Fixtures
=== Group 2 ===
==== Points table ====
==== Fixtures ====
== Knockout stage ==
=== Bracket ===
=== Semi-finals ===
=== Final ===
== Final standings ==
== Records ==
== Notes ==
== References ==
== External links ==
Series home at ESPNcricinfo
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