The ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026 is poised to begin on January 15, 2026, running until February 6, with Zimbabwe and Namibia jointly hosting the prestigious youth tournament. This 16th edition of the competition will feature 16 teams, including defending champions Australia and five-time winners India, competing across five venues in the two African nations. The event is widely regarded as a crucial platform for showcasing cricket's next generation of talent. Preparations are complete, with warm-up matches concluding on January 13, 2026, as teams fine-tuned their strategies. India, placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, New Zealand, and the USA, will kick off their campaign against the United States on January 15. Notable players to watch include Pakistan's Sameer Minhas, who impressed in warm-ups, and India's Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a rising talent. The tournament's format includes a group stage followed by a Super Six phase, leading to semi-finals and a final, with a total of 41 matches scheduled. All matches will start at 1:00 PM Indian Standard Time, making it highly relevant for the Indian audience.