The West Indies Under-19 cricket team is poised to commence their Super Six stage campaign at the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026 with a critical match against Ireland in Windhoek, Namibia. Scheduled for January 25 at 3:30 AM Trinidad and Tobago time, this encounter marks the first of two decisive Super Six fixtures for the Caribbean squad.
Having secured their advancement through a impressive 55-run victory over South Africa on January 22, the West Indies finished second in their preliminary group with four points from two victories and one defeat. Their group stage performance included triumphs against Tanzania and South Africa, with their sole loss coming against Afghanistan.
The Super Six phase features twelve qualifying teams: West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa, England, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Ireland. Notably, all points, wins, and net run-rate statistics from the group matches carry forward into this decisive stage.
Ireland’s path to the Super Six saw mixed results, with a victory against Japan offset by losses to Australia and Sri Lanka during the group phase. The West Indies must overcome the Irish challenge and deliver an exceptional performance against defending champions Australia on January 28 to secure a coveted semi-final berth.
Historical context adds significance to the upcoming matches: the West Indies claimed the U-19 World Cup title in 2016, while Australia boasts four championships (1988, 2002, 2010, and 2024), establishing them as the most successful team in the tournament’s history.