The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 is an elite global stage for rising stars of cricket, often referred to as the nursery of international cricket. In many ways, this event provides a sneak peek into those talents that will rule world cricket for at least the next ten years.
The 16th ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup got underway from January 15, 2026, pitching the best burgeoning talent up against established cricketing nations and one of cricket’s most rapidly growing teams from around the world.
Overview of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026
The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 is a three-week competition in the 50-over format. It comprises 16 teams vying for the final prize in youth cricketing history. Beyond the trophy, the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 plays a very important part in the future of internationals in cricketing history.
Several other famous cricketers like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, Joe Root, Rohit Sharma, and David Warner have begun their careers on this exact same platform.
When and Where Is the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 Being Played?
The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 is being co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
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Key Details:
Tournament Start Date: January 15, 2026
Opening Match: India vs USA
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Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Match Start Time:
9:30 AM (Local Time)
1:00 PM (Indian Standard Time)
Venues for ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026
Matches in Zimbabwe:
Queens Sports Club
Harare Sports Club
Takashinga Sports Club
Matches in Namibia:
Namibia Cricket Ground
HP Oval, Windhoek
These venues will host group-stage, Super Six, and knockout matches.
Tournament Schedule: Super Six & Knockout Stage
Group Stage: 24 matches over 10 days
Super Six Stage: Played across both host nations
Semi-Finals: February 3 & 4, 2026 (Zimbabwe)
Final Match: February 6, 2026
Final Venue: Harare Sports Club
Teams Participating in ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026
Directly Qualified Teams:
India
Australia
Pakistan
England
Bangladesh
New Zealand
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Ireland
West Indies
Teams Qualified Through Regional Qualifiers:
Afghanistan
Japan
Scotland
Tanzania
Tanzania’s Historic Debut at the Under-19 World Cup
One of the biggest stories of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 is that this is the very first time Tanzania has taken part in an ICC global tournament. The Tanzanians topped the Africa Qualifiers, winning all five matches, defeating strong teams like Namibia and Kenya a landmark moment for Tanzanian cricket.
Tournament Format of ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026
16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4 teams each
Each team plays every other team once in the group
Top 3 teams from each group advance to the Super Six
Super Six Stage:
Teams carry forward select group-stage points
Each team plays two additional matches
Top 2 teams qualify for the semi-finals
Will there be DRS at ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026?
Although the TV umpire will remain present in each match, the Decision Review System (DRS) in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 has been ruled out.
History of the Under-19 World Cup
First Edition: 1988
First Champion: Australia (defeated Pakistan)
Since 1998, the tournament has been held every two years
Most Successful Teams:
India: 5 titles
Australia: 4 titles
Pakistan: 2 titles
England, South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh: 1 title each
Players to Watch in ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026
Vaibhav Suryavanshi (India): A sensational opener who scored a T20 century at just 14 years old
Sameer Minhas (Pakistan): Scored 172 runs against India in the Under-19 Asia Cup
Oliver Peake (Australia): Title-winning captain from the previous edition
Ali Raza (Pakistan): Express fast bowler known for pace and bounce
Charlie Hara Hinze (Japan): Impact all-rounder and key player for Japan
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