Discover the excitement of the ICC Under 19 World Cup! Get the latest updates, match schedules, and player highlights from the premier youth cricket tournament.
🏏 The Next Generation: Latest Updates on the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup
The world of youth cricket is abuzz as the final preparations are underway for the highly anticipated ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia. With the tournament less than a month away, here is a breakdown of the latest news, key fixtures, and recent performances of the participating teams.
🇿🇼🇳🇦 U19 World Cup 2026: Schedule and Host Details
The 16th edition of the tournament is set to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026.
- Hosts: Zimbabwe and Namibia.
- Dates: January 15 to February 6, 2026.
- Format: The 16 teams are split into four groups. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, followed by the semi-finals and the final.
- Venues: Matches will be played across five venues in Harare and Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), and Windhoek (Namibia). The final will be held at the iconic Harare Sports Club.
- Debut: This edition will see Tanzania make their debut appearance in the U19 World Cup.
📋 ICC Under 19 World Cup: Tournament Groups and Key Fixtures
The group stage promises exciting contests, including the defense of the title by the 2024 champions, Australia.
| Group | Teams | Key Group Stage Fixtures |
| A | India (Most Titles), Bangladesh, USA, New Zealand | India vs USA (Jan 15), India vs Bangladesh (Jan 17) |
| B | Zimbabwe (Co-Host), Pakistan, England, Scotland | Pakistan vs England (Jan 16), Zimbabwe vs Pakistan (Jan 22) |
| C | Australia (Defending Champions), Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka | Australia vs Ireland (Jan 16), Sri Lanka vs Australia (Jan 23) |
| D | Tanzania (Debut), West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa | Afghanistan vs South Africa (Jan 16), West Indies vs South Africa (Jan 22) |
Note: In a notable grouping, the arch-rivals India and Pakistan are not in the same group for the group stage of this tournament.
🇦🇺 Defending Champions Squad Announcement
Australia, who lifted the trophy in the 2024 edition in South Africa, have announced their squad with left-hand batter Oliver Peake named as the captain. Peake was a crucial part of the 2024 winning squad. The Australian team features a diverse mix of talent, including two Indian-origin players, Aryan Sharma and John James, reflecting the country’s multicultural cricketing landscape.
🇮🇳🇵🇰 India and Pakistan Shine in U19 Asia Cup Lead-Up
As a major preparatory tournament for the World Cup, the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 is currently being played in the UAE. Recent results highlight the form of the subcontinent giants:
- India’s Dominance: India displayed a powerful performance in their recent clash against Pakistan, defeating them by a significant margin to reach the semi-finals. Deepesh Devendran was a standout performer for India with the ball.
- Star Batter in Focus: India’s opener, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is a player to watch, having recently smashed a blistering 56-ball century in the U19 Asia Cup opener against the UAE.
These performances in the Asia Cup indicate that the teams are building strong momentum heading into the global tournament in the new year.
🏆 Flashback: The Last Winners
For context, the most recent ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup was held in 2024 in South Africa. The final saw Australia defeat India by 79 runs to clinch their fourth title. India remains the most successful team in the tournament’s history with five titles.
The countdown is on for the next batch of future stars to emerge and showcase their talent on the global stage!
Also, read IND vs SA 3rd T20: A Thrilling Encounter Awaits!
