The ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup is the biggest global tournament for young cricketers. Since its first edition in 1988, the event has helped identify future international stars.
Many legends like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, and Steve Smith first made their mark at this level.
The tournament is held every two years and features the best teenage players from around the world. Here is the complete Under-19 World Cup winners list from 1988 to 2026.
Under-19 World Cup Winners List (1988–2026)
| Year | Host | Winner | Runner-up | Final Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Zimbabwe & Namibia | India | England | India won by 100 runs |
| 2024 | South Africa | Australia | India | Australia won by 79 runs |
| 2022 | West Indies | India | England | India won by 4 wickets |
| 2020 | South Africa | Bangladesh | India | Bangladesh won by 3 wickets (DLS) |
| 2018 | New Zealand | India | Australia | India won by 8 wickets |
| 2016 | Bangladesh | West Indies | India | West Indies won by 5 wickets |
| 2014 | UAE | South Africa | Pakistan | South Africa won by 6 wickets |
| 2012 | Australia | India | Australia | India won by 6 wickets |
| 2010 | New Zealand | Australia | Pakistan | Australia won by 25 runs |
| 2008 | Malaysia | India | South Africa | India won by 12 runs (DLS) |
| 2006 | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | India | Pakistan won by 38 runs |
| 2004 | Bangladesh | Pakistan | West Indies | Pakistan won by 25 runs |
| 2002 | New Zealand | Australia | South Africa | Australia won by 7 wickets |
| 2000 | Sri Lanka | India | Sri Lanka | India won by 6 wickets |
| 1998 | South Africa | England | New Zealand | England won by 7 wickets |
| 1988 | Australia | Australia | Pakistan | Australia won by 5 wickets |
Most Successful Teams in U19 World Cup
| Team | Titles |
|---|---|
| India | 5 |
| Australia | 4 |
| Pakistan | 2 |
| Others (England, South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh) | 1 each |
India remain the most successful team, showing strong youth development over the years.
U19 World Cup 2026 Final Highlights
The latest edition (January 15 – February 6, 2026) was co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Final Match Summary
- Winner: India
- Opponent: England
- Winning Margin: 100 runs
Young star Vaibhav Suryavanshi stole the show with a stunning 175 off 80 balls, the highest score in a U19 World Cup final.
India posted 411/9, with key support from:
- Captain Ayush Mhatre – 53
- Abhigyan Kundu – 40
Why the U19 World Cup Is Important
This tournament is known as a launchpad for future stars.
Players Who Rose from U19 World Cup
- Virat Kohli (India)
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
- Joe Root & Ben Stokes (England)
- Steve Smith (Australia)
- Babar Azam (Pakistan)
- Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)
Performing well here often leads to opportunities in:
- Domestic cricket
- Franchise leagues
- Senior international teams
Key Features of the Tournament
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Format | Group stage + Knockouts |
| Frequency | Every 2 years |
| Teams (2026) | 16 |
| Total Matches | 41 |
| Final Venue (2026) | Harare |
The event gives young players experience in handling pressure matches and global competition.
Under-19 World Cup Winning Captains Who Became Stars
Leadership at this level often predicts future success.
- Virat Kohli (2008) – Later became India captain
- Mitchell Marsh (2010) – Key all-rounder for Australia
- Aiden Markram (2014) – South Africa captain
Many U19 captains go on to lead their national teams.
The Under-19 World Cup winners list from 1988 to 2026 shows how the tournament has become the foundation of international cricket.
India’s dominance highlights its strong youth system, while teams like Bangladesh and West Indies have also achieved historic wins.
With every edition, new stars emerge—and many of them go on to become the future of world cricket.
