Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
AS the new week gets underway, it carries real weight for Zimbabwe. The country is stepping into the spotlight as it prepares to host the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026, a tournament that brings the global game to local soil and places young talent at the centre of attention.
The countdown is no longer theoretical. The first ball will be bowled on Thursday, officially launching a competition Zimbabwe is co-hosting with Namibia, marking a historic first for both nations. For Zimbabwean cricket, it is a moment of pride and responsibility, one that signals trust from the global game and belief in the region’s ability to stage an event of this scale.
The significance stretches beyond the two host nations. Southern Africa takes centre stage, while the continent as a whole celebrates another landmark with Tanzania set to make their debut in the 16th edition of youth cricket’s premier tournament. It is a powerful reminder of how the game continues to spread and evolve.
Once underway, the tournament will run its course toward a fitting finale. The final will be staged at Harare Sports Club on 6 February, returning the spotlight to the country’s ceremonial home of cricket, where the champions will be crowned.
As the final days tick away, Zimpapers Sports Hub brings you everything you need to know about this prestigious event.
Australia arrive as the defending champions after defeating India in the 2024 final. They have won the title four times, second only to India, who remain the tournament’s most successful side with five championships. Pakistan are the only other nation to lift the trophy more than once, winning back to back titles in 2004 and 2006. West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh and England have each claimed the crown once.
The competition features 16 teams divided into four groups. From each group, three teams advance to the Super Six stage. The teams that finish fourth move into placement matches, with the fourth-placed sides from Group A and D meeting each other, and those from Group B and C doing the same.
The Super Six phase brings together the top three teams from Groups A and D into one group, while the leading three from Groups B and C form the other. Points, wins and net run rate earned against fellow Super Six qualifiers during the group stage are carried forward.
Each team will then play two Super Six matches against sides from the corresponding group they did not face earlier. A team that finishes first in Group A, for instance, will play the teams that finished second and third in Group D. The same structure applies across all group positions.
Matches will be spread across five venues in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Zimbabwe will host 25 games, including both semi-finals and the final, while Namibia will stage 16 matches.
In Zimbabwe, action will be shared between Harare and Bulawayo. Queens Sports Club will host matches in Bulawayo, while Harare Sports Club and Takashinga Sports Club will stage games in the capital. Namibia’s fixtures will all take place in Windhoek at the Namibia Cricket Ground and the High Performance Oval, which sit side by side.
Queens Sports Club and Harare Sports Club will host the semi finals on 3 and 4 February, before Harare Sports Club stages the final on 6 February.
The group stage will feature 24 matches, all starting at 9.30am. The tournament opens on 15 January with India facing USA in Bulawayo.
Before the main event, all teams will play two warm up matches. These fixtures began on Friday as sides fine tune their preparations. The warm-up games are spread across Harare, Bulawayo, Windhoek and Masvingo, and will conclude on 14 January, the eve of the tournament.
Each team has named a 15 player squad for the World Cup, with no reserves permitted. Any changes during the competition require approval from the ICC Technical Committee. All 16 teams have confirmed their squads, many featuring exciting prospects, including players who appeared at the 2024 edition.
Entry to all matches is free of charge for spectators.
