India will kickstart their T20 World Cup title defence against USA in Mumbai on February 7 as the ICC announced the schedule for the 2026 edition on Tuesday (November 25). A clash between Pakistan and Netherlands will kickstart the tournament earlier in the day in Colombo with a West Indies - Bangladesh contest sandwiched between the two in Kolkata.

As a result of an agreement that was put in place earlier this year for multi-nation tournaments hosted by India or Pakistan, the ICC have alternate options for the semifinal and final. If Pakistan go the distance, they will play their semifinal clash and the final in Colombo. If Pakistan do not make it to the final, then the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the final on March 8. While Mumbai will be hosting one semifinal, Kolkata will host the other in case the 2009 champions don't qualify for the knockouts.

Group A

(India, Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands, USA)

India and Pakistan are strong favourites to emerge on top from a group that consists of the USA, Netherlands and Namibia. Although, it's worth noting that the USA did stun Pakistan in the previous edition. The marquee clash from this group featuring archrivals India and Pakistan will be played on February 15 in Colombo.