Nepal to co-host 2027 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Cup, India to kick off campaign in Kirtipur
India will begin their title defense at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027 against the West Indies in Kirtipur on January 22 as the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the schedule for the third edition of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal from January 21 to February 6.
Sixteen teams will compete in 41 matches across four venues in Chattogram, Sylhet and Kathmandu, with the final scheduled for February 6 and February 7 as a reserve day.
India will be aiming for a third consecutive title after winning the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2023 and retaining the trophy in Malaysia in 2025. Niki Prasad-led India defeated South Africa in the final of the previous edition to underline their dominance in the competition.
India have been drawn in Group A alongside Ireland, West Indies and hosts Nepal. They will begin their campaign against the West Indies at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur before taking on Nepal on January 24 and Ireland on January 26.
Nepal will begin their campaign against Ireland on January 22 and the tournament will offer the hosts an opportunity to showcase their young talent on home soil.
South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and Samoa form Group B, while Australia, Bangladesh, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) form Group C. England, Sri Lanka, United States and Scotland are placed in Group D.
The group stage runs until January 26, after which the qualifying teams advance to the Super Six stage. The teams will be divided into two groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
The semi-final will be played on February 4 at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram, with February 5 reserved as a reserve day. The final will take place at the same venue on February 6, with a spare day available on February 7.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said the tournament will provide a platform for aspiring cricketers to take the next step towards an elite career and inspire young girls to take up the sport.
“The ICC U19 World Cup is the stage that shows the future of our sport and serves as the ultimate platform for young players to make the leap towards an elite career representing their countries,” Gupta said.
He also highlighted the selection of Bangladesh and Nepal as hosts, noting their passion for cricket and the opportunity to invest in the future of the sport in both countries.
ICC U19 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Group stage
Thursday, January 21
- Bangladesh vs UAE – Sylhet, Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka vs Scotland – Upper Mulpani, Nepal
- Australia vs Nigeria – Sylhet, Bangladesh
- England vs USA – Upper Mulpani, Nepal
Friday, January 22
- New Zealand vs Samoa – Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Nepal vs Ireland – TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur
- South Africa vs Pakistan – Chattogram, Bangladesh
- India vs West Indies – TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur
Saturday 23 January
- UAE vs Nigeria – Sylhet, Bangladesh
- USA vs Scotland – Upper Mulpani, Nepal
- Bangladesh vs Australia – Sylhet, Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka vs England – Upper Mulpani, Nepal
Sunday, January 24
- Samoa vs South Africa – Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Nepal vs India – TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur
- Pakistan vs New Zealand – Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Ireland vs West Indies – TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur
Monday, January 25
- Australia vs UAE – Sylhet, Bangladesh
- England vs Scotland – Upper Mulpani, Nepal
- Bangladesh vs Nigeria – Sylhet, Bangladesh
- USA vs Sri Lanka – Upper Mulpani, Nepal
Tuesday, January 26
- Pakistan vs Samoa – Chattogram, Bangladesh
- West Indies vs Nepal – TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur
- New Zealand vs South Africa – Chattogram, Bangladesh
- India vs Ireland – TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur
Super Six stage
Wednesday, January 27
A4 vs D4 – TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur
Thursday, January 28
B4 vs C4 – Chattogram, Bangladesh
A3 vs D2 – Upper Mulpani, Nepal
D1 vs A2 – Upper Mulpani, Nepal
Friday, January 29
B3 vs C2 – Sylhet, Bangladesh
C1 vs B2 – Sylhet, Bangladesh
Saturday, January 30
B1 vs C3 – Sylhet, Bangladesh
Sunday January 31st
A2 vs D3 – Chattogram, Bangladesh
A1 vs D2 – Chattogram, Bangladesh
Monday February 1st
D1 vs A3 – Chattogram, Bangladesh
C1 vs B3 – Sylhet, Bangladesh
C3 vs B2 – Sylhet, Bangladesh
Tuesday, February 2
D3 vs A1 – Chattogram, Bangladesh
B1 vs C2 – Chattogram, Bangladesh
Elimination phase
Thursday, February 4
- Semi Final 1 – Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Semi Final 2 – Chattogram, Bangladesh
Friday, February 5
- Reserve day for the semi-finals
Saturday, February 6
- Final – Chattogram, Bangladesh
Sunday, February 7
– The end