The group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has officially come to an end, and the eight teams for the Super 8 round have been confirmed. Pakistan secured the final spot after a dominant 102-run win over Namibia, completing the next stage line-up. The Super 8 matches will begin on February 21 and will continue until March 1, where teams will compete for a place in the semi-finals.
The biggest surprise of the group stage was the early exit of 2021 champions Australia, while teams like Zimbabwe and Pakistan fought hard to keep their campaign alive.
Super 8 Qualified Teams – Full List
| Group 1 | Group 2 |
|---|---|
| India | Pakistan |
| South Africa | Sri Lanka |
| West Indies | England |
| Zimbabwe | New Zealand |
India finished their group unbeaten, while Pakistan booked their place after improving their Net Run Rate with a big win in their final league match.
How Teams Qualified
| Group | Qualified Teams | Key Update |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | India, Pakistan | Pakistan’s big win vs Namibia confirmed qualification |
| Group B | Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe | Rain-affected results helped Zimbabwe edge ahead |
| Group C | West Indies, England | Both teams dominated their group |
| Group D | South Africa, New Zealand | Consistent performances ensured smooth qualification |
Australia finished outside the top two in Group B after losses and unfavorable results, leading to one of the biggest shocks of the tournament.
T20 World Cup2026 Super 8 Match Schedule (All times in IST)
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
| Feb 21 (Sat) | New Zealand vs Pakistan | Colombo (RPS) | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 22 (Sun) | England vs Sri Lanka | Kandy | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 22 (Sun) | India vs South Africa | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 23 (Mon) | West Indies vs Zimbabwe | Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 24 (Tue) | England vs Pakistan | Kandy | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 25 (Wed) | Sri Lanka vs New Zealand | Colombo (RPS) | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 26 (Thu) | West Indies vs South Africa | Ahmedabad | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 26 (Thu) | India vs Zimbabwe | Chennai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 27 (Fri) | England vs New Zealand | Colombo (RPS) | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 28 (Sat) | Sri Lanka vs Pakistan | Kandy | 7:00 PM |
| Mar 01 (Sun) | South Africa vs Zimbabwe | Delhi | 3:00 PM |
| Mar 01 (Sun) | India vs West Indies | Kolkata | 7:00 PM |
Super 8 Format Explained
The Super 8 stage will feature two groups of four teams each. Every team will play three matches against the other teams in their group.
- Top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals
- Matches begin from February 21
- The stage will run until March 1
One of the opening fixtures will see New Zealand face Pakistan in Colombo, while fans are also waiting for the high-profile clash between India and South Africa, a repeat of the 2024 final.
Also see: “A diesel engine who never stops” – Irfan Pathan praises Auqib Nabi
India remain one of the strongest teams in the tournament, with their batting and spin attack performing consistently. Pakistan gained momentum at the right time, thanks to a strong final group performance. Zimbabwe’s qualification has been a major boost for Associate cricket, while South Africa, England and New Zealand look balanced heading into the next round.
With the Super 8 stage set, the competition now enters its most intense phase. Every match from here will play a crucial role in deciding the semi-finalists, and the race for the T20 World Cup 2026 title is officially heating up.
