The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 schedule documents the official progression framework for the tournament’s multi-stage format.
This section explains how 16 teams advance through group matches, Super Six qualifying rounds, and knockout phases.
The schedule follows ICC Youth ODI competition regulations.
The format uses a tiered elimination structure. Each stage determines which teams progress to subsequent rounds.
ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 Schedule, Teams & Venues
ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 Schedule
The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 Schedule consists of four distinct competition stages. The tournament begins with a group stage and concludes with a final match.
The progression system eliminates teams at two points. Four teams exit after the group stage. Eight teams exit after the Super Six stage.
The group stage features 24 matches across four groups. Each group conducts a round-robin format with six matches per group.
The Super Six stage includes 12 matches split between two qualifying groups. The knockout stage consists of two semi-finals and one final match.
Play-off matches accommodate fourth-place teams from each group. These matches determine final tournament rankings for eliminated teams.
| Tournament Stage | Date Window | Matches Played | Qualification Outcome | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | January 15-24, 2026 | 24 | Top 3 from each group advance | 1:00 PM |
| Play-off Matches | January 24, 26, 2026 | 2 | Ranking determination for 4th place teams | 1:00 PM |
| Super Six Stage | January 25 – February 1, 2026 | 12 | Top 2 from each Super Six group advance | 1:00 PM |
| Semi-Finals | February 3-4, 2026 | 2 | Winners advance to final | 1:00 PM |
| Final | February 6, 2026 | 1 | Tournament champion determined | 1:00 PM |
ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 Venues
The tournament allocates venues based on stage requirements and operational capacity. Group stage matches are distributed across all five available venues.
Super Six matches use the same three-city hosting structure. The knockout phase will be concentrated at two primary Zimbabwe venues.
Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo hosts one semi-final match. Harare Sports Club hosts the second semi-final and the final match.
Play-off matches occur at Windhoek and Harare venues. Venue selection for knockouts follows ICC tournament hosting protocols.
| Venue | City | Matches Assigned | Stages Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queens Sports Club | Bulawayo | 10 | Group, Super Six, Semi-Final |
| Harare Sports Club | Harare | 8 | Super Six, Semi-Final, Final, Play-off |
| Takashinga Sports Club | Harare | 8 | Group Stage Only |
| High Performance Oval | Windhoek | 8 | Group, Super Six, Play-off |
| Namibia Cricket Ground | Windhoek | 7 | Group, Super Six |
ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 Teams
The tournament admits 16 national teams through ICC regional qualification pathways. Each team enters the competition at the group stage level.
All teams compete for advancement through multiple stages. The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 Fixtures assign each team to one of four preliminary groups.
Twelve teams qualify for the Super Six stage. Four teams advance to the semi-final matches. Two teams reach the final match.
Fourth-place finishers from each group enter play-off matches. These teams cannot advance to the Super Six stage.
| Team | Group | Advancement Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | A | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| Ireland | A | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| Japan | A | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| Sri Lanka | A | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| Bangladesh | B | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| India | B | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| New Zealand | B | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| USA | B | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| England | C | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| Pakistan | C | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| Scotland | C | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| Zimbabwe | C | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| Afghanistan | D | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| South Africa | D | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| Tanzania | D | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
| West Indies | D | Top 3 qualify for Super Six |
ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 Groups
The group stage divides 16 teams into four groups with four teams each. Each team plays three group matches in a round-robin format.
Group standings determine Super Six qualification and seeding. The top three teams from each group advance based on points accumulated.
Points earned against other qualifying teams carry forward to the Super Six stage. Teams do not carry forward points from matches against fourth-place teams.
The Super Six stage reorganizes 12 qualified teams into two groups of six. Group A and Group D qualifiers combine to form Super Six Group 1. Group B and Group C qualifiers combine to form Super Six Group 2.
Each team plays three new matches in the Super Six stage. These matches occur against teams from the paired preliminary group only.
| Group | Teams | Super Six Qualification Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Australia, Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka | Top 3 advance to Super Six Group 1 (with Group D qualifiers) |
| Group B | Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, USA | Top 3 advance to Super Six Group 2 (with Group C qualifiers) |
| Group C | England, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe | Top 3 advance to Super Six Group 2 (with Group B qualifiers) |
| Group D | Afghanistan, South Africa, Tanzania, West Indies | Top 3 advance to Super Six Group 1 (with Group A qualifiers) |
Conclusion:
The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 schedule establishes a three-week competition timeline with distinct stage transitions.
The tournament structure progressively reduces participating teams through each stage.
The format ensures competitive balance through carry-forward points and seeding protocols.
Stage progression summary:
- Tournament Duration: 23 days (January 15 – February 6, 2026)
- Group to Super Six Transition: January 24-25 (1-day gap)
- Super Six to Semi-Final Transition: February 1-3 (2-day gap)
- Semi-Final to Final Transition: February 4-6 (2-day gap)
- Knockout Structure: Direct elimination (no third-place match)
The schedule allows operational rest days between major stage transitions. All 41 matches maintain uniform 1:00 PM IST start times.
The progression format eliminates 75% of teams by the semi-final stage. Only two teams compete in the final match.
More Related Guides:
- Under-19 World Cup Winners List From 1988 To 2026
- India U19 Tour of South Africa 2026 Tickets
- ICC U19 World Cup 2026 Live Streaming
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