The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 officially gets underway today, marking the start of the 10th edition of cricket’s premier T20 tournament. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the competition will see 20 teams compete in 55 matches across eight venues over the next month.
Defending champions India begin their title defence tonight against the United States at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, following a grand opening ceremony featuring performances by Badshah and Nora Fatehi.
Today’s Match Schedule | February 7, 2026
| Match | Teams | Venue | Time (IST) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pakistan vs Netherlands | SSC Ground, Colombo | 11:00 AM | In Progress |
| 2 | West Indies vs Scotland | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3:00 PM | Not Started |
| 3 | India vs USA | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:00 PM | Not Started |
In the tournament opener, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl against the Netherlands at Colombo’s SSC Ground.
Star-Studded Opening Ceremony
The World Cup began with a vibrant opening ceremony celebrating cricket, culture, and entertainment. Rapper Badshah and international dance icon Nora Fatehi headlined the event, setting the tone for a month-long global cricketing spectacle.
Tournament Format and Key Dates
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features 20 teams divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 8 stage, scheduled to begin on February 21.
Knockout schedule:
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Semi-finals: March 4 and March 5, 2026
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Final: March 8, 2026 — Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Broadcast and Ticket Information
Matches will be broadcast live on Star Sports in India, with digital streaming available on JioHotstar. Tickets for all fixtures can be purchased via the official ICC ticketing platform.
With defending champions, emerging cricketing nations, and high-stakes encounters lined up, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 promises non-stop action across India and Sri Lanka.
