India Retains T20 World Cup Title, Prepares to Host 2026 Edition

According to the article, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place from February 7th to March 8th, 2026. India, the host nation, will welcome 20 teams competing for the coveted trophy.

India is the reigning champion, having won the 2024 T20 World Cup after defeating South Africa in a thrilling final match at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. The upcoming tournament will see the defending champions look to retain their title on home soil.

The 2026 World Cup will feature a new format, with teams divided into four groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage, where they will be split into two groups of four. The winners of these groups will then progress to the semi-finals.

One of the key highlights of the 2026 edition is the inclusion of Italy, which will be making its first-ever appearance in the T20 World Cup. The tournament will also see some matches being played in Sri Lanka, as political tensions between India and Pakistan have led to both countries opting not to host matches in each other's countries.

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad or the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo are being considered as potential venues for the final match, depending on whether Pakistan is still in the tournament.