The International Cricket Council has released the full fixture list for the 2026 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup, confirming Zimbabwe and Namibia as co-hosts for the global youth tournament set for Janufor 15 to February 6, 2026.
Zimbabwe will host the majority of the action, with around 70 percent of the matches scheduled for Harare and Bulawayo. Games will be played at Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club, and Takashinga Cricket Club.
Victoria Falls, initially discussed as a possible host city during early planning, does not feature on the final venue list.
Zimbabwe’s U19 team will begin their campaign on home soil in Harare after being drawn into a competitive group featuring Scotland, the USA and England. Their opening match is set for January 15, 2026, against Scotland at Takashinga Cricket Club.
The team will then travel to Bulawayo for a high-profile clash with England on 18 January at Queens Sports Club before returning to Harare for their 22 January fixture against Pakistan.
The hosts are aiming for a strong group-stage performance to secure a place in the Super Six and subsequent knockout rounds. These stages will be shared between Harare and Windhoek, with the semi-finals scheduled for 3 and 4 February.
Related Stories
The tournament will conclude with the final on 6 February at Harare Sports Club.
The schedule announcement follows Australia’s triumph in the 2024 edition, where they lifted the U19 Cricket World Cup trophy. ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed excitement for the upcoming tournament, highlighting its historic importance as a launchpad for future international stars.
He noted that the U19 World Cup has long been “the cradle of greatness,” producing legends such as Brian Lara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith and Shubman Gill.
Shah added that the 2026 edition will continue this tradition by offering young players a world-class platform that mirrors the intensity and expectations of senior international cricket.
“As we look ahead to the 2026 edition in Zimbabwe and Namibia, we are excited to provide young cricketers with a world-class platform that mirrors the standards and pressures of senior international cricket,” he said.
“This tournament is where dreams are ignited, rivalries are born and the global cricketing landscape begins to take its next form.”
Leave Comments