Cricket fans around the world can mark their calendars — the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan showdown in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is reportedly set to take place on February 8 in Colombo.
According to reliable sources, the blockbuster contest could also serve as the tournament opener, kicking off what promises to be a thrilling month of cricket. The event is expected to run from February 7 to March 8, 2026, with India and Sri Lanka jointly hosting the global spectacle.
The tournament will follow a hybrid hosting model, with matches scheduled across at least five venues in India and two in Sri Lanka. The final is likely to be played in Ahmedabad or Colombo, depending on whether Pakistan qualifies for the summit clash.
All 20 teams for the 2026 edition have now been confirmed. Alongside the two hosts, India and Sri Lanka, the top seven teams from the 2024 T20 World Cup—Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States, and West Indies—earned automatic qualification. Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland qualified based on ICC rankings.
Canada secured the Americas slot,
Netherlands and Italy advanced from Europe (with Italy making their T20 World Cup debut),
Namibia and Zimbabwe claimed the African spots,while Nepal, Oman, and UAE completed the Asian lineup.
The 2026 edition will maintain the 20-team structure introduced in 2024. Teams will be split into four groups of five, with the top two from each progressing to the Super Eight stage, followed by the semi-finals and final.
With the India–Pakistan rivalry set to light up Colombo early in the tournament, fans can expect another high-voltage encounter that could define the tone of the World Cup.
