The International Cricket Council has unveiled the complete schedule for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, placing Nepal in a headline-grabbing Group C.
Placed in a blockbuster Group C, Nepal will face England (two-time champions: 2010, 2022), West Indies (two-time champions: 2012, 2016), Bangladesh, and Italy. For Nepal, this is both the toughest and most prestigious global stage they have ever entered.
Nepal begins its World Cup journey on 8 February 2026 with a marquee clash against England, the two-time T20 world champions, at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. It will be Nepal's first-ever T20 World Cup match on Indian soil and their first-ever meeting against England in a global event.
Following the England encounter, Nepal faces Italy on 12 February, again at Wankhede — a match that could prove pivotal in shaping qualification hopes.
The third match comes against West Indies on 15 February, another two-time T20 world champion (2012 and 2016). This prime-time fixture in Mumbai will test Nepal against one of the format's most explosive and decorated sides.
Nepal concludes the group phase on 17 February against Bangladesh in Kolkata — a subcontinental matchup expected to draw massive crowds and strong Nepali support.
https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1993322501733335226
Group C: Nepal Draws Heavyweights and Opportunity
Nepal's group contains two of the format’s most decorated teams:
- England – T20 World Champions in 2010 & 2022
- West Indies – Champions in 2012 & 2016, the only team to win consecutive editions
- Bangladesh – A major subcontinental force with deep T20 talent
- Italy – An emerging European side
On paper, it is one of the tournament's most unpredictable groups. England and West Indies bring pedigree, Bangladesh provide subcontinental familiarity, while Nepal and Italy represent cricket's emerging frontier.
Nepal Takes Centre Stage in India
Unlike some teams whose matches are split across both co-hosts, Nepal’s entire group stage is hosted in India — a significant advantage in terms of travel, crowd backing, and conditions.
Nepal's fixtures:
- 8 Feb - England v Nepal - Mumbai
- 12 Feb - Nepal v Italy - Mumbai
- 15 Feb - West Indies v Nepal - Mumbai
- 17 Feb - Bangladesh v Nepal - Kolkata
Playing three matches in Mumbai gives Nepal crucial consistency in pitch and climate, something rarely afforded to Associate teams in past events.
How Nepal qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
For Nepal, this tournament marks their third T20 World Cup appearance and their second consecutive qualification — a landmark achievement in the nation’s cricketing history.
Nepal punched their ticket to the 2026 World Cup after results in the Asia–EAP Qualifier mathematically guaranteed them a top-three finish in the Super Six standings.
The decisive moment came when UAE defeated Samoa by 77 runs, ensuring that neither UAE nor the chasing pack could overtake Nepal’s tally. With that single result, Nepal became one of the first two teams — alongside Oman — to officially qualify for the 2026 global event.
Remarkably, Nepal clinched qualification without playing a ball in their scheduled Super Six clash against hosts Oman at Al Amerat. Nepal and Oman remained unbeaten, leading the table on net run rate, while UAE sat third with four points.
Back-to-Back World Cup Appearances
- 2014 – Debut (qualified after finishing 3rd in the 2013 Qualifier)
- 2024 – Returned after a 10-year gap
- 2026 – Qualified again, marking their first back-to-back appearances
Their flawless run in the regional pathway and growing maturity in international T20 cricket highlight Nepal’s rise as a competitive force in the Associate world.
