U19 Cricket World Cup 2026: Youth Cricket’s Premier Tournament Begins in Southern Africa

17 January 2026 Sports and Events

Introduction: Cricket’s Talent Factory Returns

The 2026 ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is an international limited-overs cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is being held in Zimbabwe and Namibia in early 2026. It is the sixteenth edition of the Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, a tournament that has historically served as a launching pad for cricket’s biggest stars. The competition, which kicked off on January 15 and will conclude with the final on February 6, represents the pinnacle of youth cricket and offers a glimpse into the sport’s future.

Tournament Structure and Participating Teams

16 teams have qualified for the tournament and have been divided into four groups of four each. Australia are the defending champions, having won the previous edition in 2024. Group B consists of the previous edition’s finalists India, Bangladesh, New Zealand and the USA, while England, Pakistan, Scotland and Zimbabwe form Group C, and Afghanistan, South Africa, Tanzania and the West Indies constitute Group D. 41 matches will be played in the tournament over 23 days across five venues in the host nations.

Early Tournament Action and Results

The tournament opened with dramatic action as India took on USA, Zimbabwe went up against Scotland, whereas Tanzania took on the West Indies on the opening day. Pakistan lost their first match of the U19 World Cup against England by 37 runs, with Caleb Falconer scoring 66 for England. The matches have showcased emerging talent from across the globe, with several standout performances already capturing attention.

Conclusion: Significance for Cricket’s Future

The U19 Cricket World Cup remains vital to the sport’s development pipeline. As noted by the ICC, the tournament has consistently featured future stars including Brian Lara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith and Shubman Gill. Tanzania makes its tournament debut, whereas Japan returns after previously featuring in the 2020 edition. For cricket fans worldwide, this tournament offers an exciting preview of the players who will dominate international cricket in the years ahead, making it essential viewing for anyone invested in the sport’s future.