T20 World Cup 2026: Cricket’s most heated rivalry is set to take centre stage once again. As India and Pakistan meet in a highly charged Twenty20 World Cup showdown in Colombo on February 15. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the matchup while announcing the full tournament draw on Tuesday.
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Instantly making this fixture one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year. Five in India and three in Sri Lanka. Although India is one of the co-hosts, Pakistan will not be playing any of their matches on Indian soil due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations. This political backdrop, familiar in India–Pakistan cricket encounters, adds an extra layer of drama to an already fiery rivalry.
The final is currently planned for March 8 in Ahmedabad, one of India’s largest cricket hubs. However, the ICC has made it clear that if Pakistan make it to the title match, the venue will shift to Colombo. This contingency plan reflects the strained diplomatic relationship between the neighbouring nuclear powers. Whose conflicts often seep into the world of sports.
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T20 World Cup: India to Open Title Defence Against USA in Mumbai
Earlier in May, military tensions between the two countries overshadowed the Asia Cup 2025. The situation became even more awkward when India refused to accept the winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.
For the 2026 tournament, the ICC has divided the 20 teams into five groups of four. With the top two teams from each group progressing to the Super Eight stage. From there, the best four will move on to the semifinals, creating a competitive pathway full of high-stakes matches.
Defending champions India will launch their campaign in Group A. Starting with a match against the United States in Mumbai on February 7. Group B is poised to be equally competitive, featuring Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman.
England and the West Indies, both two-time T20 world champions, headline Group C. Where they will face newcomers Italy along with regional sides Bangladesh and Nepal. Group D includes New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
In preparation for the main event, the UAE and Ireland are set to meet in a short but meaningful two-match T20I series in late January. Both games will be held at the Dubai International Stadium, providing valuable match practice before the teams travel to India and Sri Lanka for the global tournament.
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Ireland Set to Begin T20 World Cup 2026 Campaign in Sri Lanka
Ireland, placed in Group B with several strong opponents, will begin their World Cup journey in Sri Lanka. The UAE, meanwhile, will face a challenging lineup in Group D, which includes heavyweight teams like South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan.
Historically, the UAE hold an edge over Ireland in T20Is, winning seven of their eleven previous meetings. Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland’s Director of Cricket, expressed gratitude to the Emirates Cricket Board for arranging the series.
He emphasised that these matches form a key part of Ireland’s preparation, with additional warm-up fixtures expected to be announced soon. Holdsworth praised the Dubai International Stadium as an excellent venue. And noted that the series will help sharpen Ireland’s competitive edge before they face elite opposition on the world stage.
Ireland will land in the UAE in late January, with the first T20I scheduled for January 29 and the second on January 31. Both sides view the series as more than just warm-up matches—they see it as essential fine-tuning. Before entering one of the most unpredictable and intense T20 World Cups in recent memory.
As teams finalise their squads and begin their final preparations, excitement around the T20 World Cup 2026 continues to build. With political tensions shaping venue decisions, traditional rivalries are intensifying.
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