No IND-PAK clash in U-19 World Cup 2026?:India set to open campaign against USA on 15 January; final on 6 February in Harare

The ICC has released the full schedule for the 2026 U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia. The tournament will run from January 15 to February 6, bringing together the world’s top young cricketing talent. A total of 41 matches will be played over three weeks. This edition of the U19 World Cup will mark a special moment in global cricket. Tanzania will make their first-ever appearance at an ICC global event, highlighting the expanding reach of the sport. Fans can also look forward to seeing traditional powerhouses like India, Australia, and the West Indies in action from Day 1. With five international cricket venues set to stage the matches, the competition promises to provide a world-class platform for rising stars. The final will take place in Harare on February 6, while warm-up games will be held between January 9 and 14. No IND vs PAK clash in U19 WC 2026? According to the ICC’s released schedule, there is no India–Pakistan match lined up, reflecting the ongoing political tensions between the two nations. The fixture list currently includes 24 confirmed matches. India is scheduled to play against the USA on January 15, Bangladesh on January 17, and New Zealand on January 24. Any further fixtures for India will depend on the team’s progress in the tournament. India to open campaign against the USA on 15 Jan The tournament will begin with a busy and exciting opening day. Last season’s runners-up India will face the USA, while hosts Zimbabwe take on Scotland. One of the biggest moments will be the debut of Tanzania, which will play its first match at a global ICC event against the West Indies. Defending champions Australia start their title defence on January 16 with a match against Ireland in Windhoek, Namibia. The venues formats, final scheduled on 6 Feb Matches for the ICC event will be hosted across five major venues in Zimbabwe and Namibia. These include Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Cricket Club, and Queens Sports Club in Zimbabwe, along with Namibia Cricket Ground and HP Oval in Windhoek, Namibia. All these grounds are known for offering competitive pitches, setting the stage for exciting contests throughout the tournament. The event will follow the traditional U19 World Cup format, beginning with four groups in the opening round, followed by the Super Six stage. The top teams will then advance to the two semi-finals, with the final scheduled for February 6 in Harare. This structure is designed to give young cricketers valuable experience similar to senior international tournaments.