16 teams will compete in the competition next year, which will be hosted in Sri Lanka across five different venues. This is the first time since 2006 that Sri Lanka will host the tournament, and they will play Zimbabwe in the tournament opener.

India won the competition last year after they beat England by four wickets in the final. Players such as Rehan Ahmed, Dewald Brevis and Dunith Wellalage featured in that tournament, all of whom have since gone on to make their senior international debuts.

The format for this edition of the tournament has been slightly changed from the last one. This time, teams will be split into four groups of four for the groups stage, which takes place from January 13-21. The top three teams from each groups will progress to the Super Six stage, which will consist of two groups of six. The fourth placed teams in each groups will also play one more match against each other.

The top three teams from Group A and Groups D will form one group in the Super Six, while the teams from Group C and Group B will form the other. Each team will play two matches in the Super Six, with their opposition determined by their ranking in the group stage. For example, the top placed team from Group A will play the second and third placed teams from Group D. The second placed side in Group A will play the first and third placed teams from Group D and so on.

The top two teams from each group at the end of the Super Six will progress to the semifinals, which will be held on January 30 and February 1. The final will take place on Sunday, February 4.

The groups in the first stage of the tournament have already been decided. Group A will feature India, Bangladesh, Ireland and USA. Groups B will consist of England, South Africa, West Indies and Scotland. Australia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Namibia will make up Group C. Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand and Nepal will compete in Group D.

ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2024 schedule

Group stage

Saturday, January 13: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, R. Premadasa International Stadium
Saturday, January 13: New Zealand v Nepal, P. Sara Oval
Saturday, January 13: England v Scotland, Colombo CC
Sunday, January 14: Australia v Namibia, Singhalese Sports Club
Sunday, January 14: Bangladesh v India, R. Premadasa International Stadium
Sunday, January 14: South Africa v West Indies, Colombo CC
Monday, January 15: Pakistan v Afghanistan, P. Sara Oval
Monday, January 15: Ireland v USA, Singhalese Sports Club
Tuesday, January 16: South Africa v England, Colombo CC
Wednesday, January 17: Nepal v Pakistan, P. Sara Oval
Wednesday, January 17: West Indies v Scotland, Colombo CC
Wednesday, January 17: Namibia v Zimbabwe, Nondescripts CC
Thursday, January 18: Bangladesh v Ireland, Singhalese Sports Club
Thursday, January 18: Afghanistan v New Zealand, P. Sara Oval
Thursday, January 18: India v USA, R. Premadasa International Stadium
Friday, January 19: Zimbabwe v Australia, Singhalese Sports Club
Friday, January 19: England v West Indies, Nondescripts CC
Saturday, January 20: India v Ireland, R. Premadasa International Stadium
Saturday, January 20: Scotland v South Africa, Colombo CC
Saturday, January 20: Afghanistan v Nepal, Nondescripts CC
Sunday, January 21: Sri Lanka v Namibia, Singhalese Sports Club
Sunday, January 21: Pakistan v New Zealand, P. Sara Oval
Sunday, January 21: USA v Bangladesh, Colombo CC

Play offs

Tuesday, January 23: A4 v D4, Singhalese Sports Club
Tuesday, January 23: B4 v C4, Nondescripts CC

Super Six

Wednesday, January 24: C2 v B3, P. Sara Oval
Wednesday, January 24: A1 v D2, R. Premadasa International Stadium
Wednesday, January 24: C1 v B2, Nondescripts CC
Thursday, January 25: C3 v B1, Singhalese Sports Club
Thursday, January 25: D3 v A2, P. Sara Oval
Thursday, January 25: D1 v A3, Colombo CC
Friday, January 26: B3 v C1, Singhalese Sports Club
Saturday, January 27: D2 v A3, P. Sara Oval
Saturday, January 27: A1 v D3, R. Premadasa International Stadium
Saturday, January 27: B1 v C2, Nondescripts CC
Sunday, January 28: B2 v C3, R. Premadasa International Stadium
Sunday, January 28: D1 v A2, Nondescripts CC

Knock-out matches

Tuesday, January 30: Semi final one, R. Premadasa International Stadium
Thursday, February 1: Semi final two, R. Premadasa International Stadium
Sunday, February 4: Final, R. Premadasa International Stadium