India and Sri Lanka, the joint hosts of the 2026 T20 World Cup, have received contrasting group draws, setting the stage for an intriguing preliminary stage. Top-ranked India appear to have an easier path, placed in a group alongside Pakistan, the Netherlands, Namibia, and the USA.
With only two Test-playing nations in the bracket, India and Pakistan are expected to progress comfortably to the Super Eight stage, although past upsets, such as Pakistan’s loss to the USA in 2024, serve as a cautionary note.
India will open their campaign against the USA, followed by matches against Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands, with the marquee India-Pakistan clash scheduled in Colombo.
Sri Lanka, ranked eighth in the ICC standings, faces a more challenging group, featuring Australia (No. 2), Zimbabwe (No. 11), Ireland (No. 12), and Oman (No. 20). With three strong Test-playing nations in the mix, Sri Lanka’s pool could be considered a “group of death,” making qualification to the Super Eight stage more difficult.
Other groups also present tough contests. England (No. 3) and West Indies (No. 6) are grouped with Bangladesh (No. 9), Nepal (No. 17), and Italy (No. 28), creating another potentially competitive cluster. South Africa (No. 5) faces New Zealand (No. 4), Afghanistan (No. 10), UAE (No. 16), and Canada (No. 18), which could test their credentials despite some comparatively weaker opponents.
Matches in India will be held across Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, with Ahmedabad slated to host the final. In Sri Lanka, Colombo and Kandy will serve as venues, with one semifinal and potentially the final earmarked for Colombo if Pakistan progresses.
The tournament, scheduled from February 7 to March 8, will see the first two teams from each pool advance to the Super Eight, and the top four sides from that stage progressing to the semifinals.
The official draw will be unveiled by the ICC in Mumbai on November 25, finalizing the lineup for a highly anticipated championship that promises high-octane contests and blockbuster fixtures, particularly for the co-host nations.
