Former two-time champions West Indies have been drawn in Group C of the 2026 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup, set for February 7 to March 8 across India and Sri Lanka. The announcement came on Tuesday as the ICC confirmed the full groupings and match schedule for the expanded 20-team tournament, which will feature four groups of five.

The West Indies, seeking their first world title since 2016, will face England, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Italy, with the Italians set to make their debut in a major ICC event.

In one of the headline developments, defending champions India and arch-rivals Pakistan have been placed together in Group A, setting up an early blockbuster showdown on February 15. That group also includes Namibia, Netherlands, and the United States.

Group B features co-host Sri Lanka alongside Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman, while New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, and United Arab Emirates make up Group D.

Sri Lanka will utilize three venues for the tournament: the R. Premadasa Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, along with the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. The much-anticipated India–Pakistan clash will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium, with Pakistan set to play all its matches in Colombo.

The competition will follow the same format used when the United States and West Indies co-hosted the 2024 edition, which India won after defeating South Africa in the final in Barbados.