The global cricket spotlight returns to the cradle of the game as the highly anticipated ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 officially kicks off in England on Friday, June 12, 2026. This landmark 11th edition shifts into history as the largest version of the tournament ever organized. Expanding from its traditional ten-team layout, the premium biennial competition now welcomes twelve elite global units, including an exciting major tournament debut for the Netherlands. With no single roster designated as an absolute frontrunner, the month-long cricket carnival promises unparalleled parity across the board.
The stakes are higher than ever for the competing powerhouses. Host nation England will hold a definitive psychological edge utilizing familiar, swing-friendly home conditions under new captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. Simultaneously, defending champions New Zealand, anchored by Melie Kerr, are desperate to protect the historic title they clinched back in 2024. Never to be counted out, record six-time champions Australia arrive under Sophie Molineux’s guidance, eyeing a seventh trophy. Meanwhile, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian contingent enters with massive momentum, aiming to back up their breakthrough maiden ICC Senior Women’s ODI World Cup trophy win from last year with a historic T20 crown.
Tournament Framework & Group Split
The expanded layout features 33 high-octane matches spread from June 12 to the grand finale on July 5, 2026. The twelve squads have been distributed into two highly competitive pools of six. Teams will secure two points for a victory and a solitary point in the event of a weather-induced washout or no-result. The top two configurations from each distinct group will earn safe passage into the knockout semi-finals.
| Group A | Group B |
| England | Australia |
| Ireland | Bangladesh |
| New Zealand | India |
| Scotland | Netherlands |
| Sri Lanka | Pakistan |
| West Indies | South Africa |
Full Roster & Player Lineups
1.Team India:Led by Harmanpreet Kaur.
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav.
2.Team Australia:Led by Sophie Molineux.
Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
3.Team England:Led by Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
4.Team New Zealand:Led by Melie Kerr.
Melie Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu.
5.Team Pakistan:Led by Fatima Sana.
Fatima Sana (c), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Eyman Fatima, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Parvaiz, Saira Jabeen, Muneeba Ali, Tuba Hassan, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Tasmia Rubab.
6.Team South Africa:Led by Laura Wolvaardt.
Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk.
7.Team West Indies:Led by Hayley Matthews.
Hayley Matthews (c), Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Shawnisha Hector.
8.Team Sri Lanka:Led by Chamari Athapaththu.
Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kaveesha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya, Chethana Vimukthi.
9.Team Bangladesh:Led by Nigar Sultana Joty.
Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter (vc), Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam Trisna, Marufa Akter, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Taj Nehar.
10.Team Ireland:Led by Gaby Lewis.
Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector.
11.Team Scotland:Led by Kathryn Bryce.
Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul.
12.Team Netherlands:Led by Babette de Leede.
Babette de Leede (c), Caroline de Lange, Frédérique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel van der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis.
Complete Match Schedule (Timings in IST)
The action unfolds across iconic English venues including Edgbaston (Birmingham), County Ground (Bristol), Headingley (Leeds), Old Trafford (Manchester), The Rose Bowl (Southampton), and London’s iconic dual grounds—The Oval and Lord’s.
- June 12: England vs Sri Lanka (Edgbaston, Birmingham) — 11:00 PM
- June 13: Bangladesh vs Netherlands (Old Trafford, Manchester) — 3:00 PM
- June 13: Australia vs South Africa (Old Trafford, Manchester) — 7:00 PM
- June 13: West Indies vs New Zealand (Hampshire Bowl, Southampton) — 11:00 PM
- June 14: Bangladesh vs Netherlands (Edgbaston, Birmingham) — 3:00 PM
- June 14: India vs Pakistan (Edgbaston, Birmingham) — 7:00 PM
- June 16: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (Hampshire Bowl, Southampton) — 7:00 PM
- June 16: England vs Ireland (Hampshire Bowl, Southampton) — 11:00 PM
- June 17: Australia vs Bangladesh (Headingley, Leeds) — 3:00 PM
- June 17: India vs Netherlands (Headingley, Leeds) — 7:00 PM
- June 17: South Africa vs Pakistan (Edgbaston, Birmingham) — 11:00 PM
- June 18: West Indies vs Scotland (Headingley, Leeds) — 11:00 PM
- June 19: New Zealand vs Ireland (Hampshire Bowl, Southampton) — 11:00 PM
- June 20: Australia vs Netherlands (Hampshire Bowl, Southampton) — 3:00 PM
- June 20: Pakistan vs Bangladesh (Hampshire Bowl, Southampton) — 7:00 PM
- June 20: England vs Scotland (Headingley, Leeds) — 11:00 PM
- June 21: West Indies vs Sri Lanka (Bristol County Ground, Bristol) — 3:00 PM
- June 21: South Africa vs India (Old Trafford, Manchester) — 7:00 PM
- June 23: New Zealand vs Scotland (Bristol County Ground, Bristol) — 3:00 PM
- June 23: Sri Lanka vs Ireland (Bristol County Ground, Bristol) — 7:00 PM
- June 23: Australia vs Pakistan (Headingley, Leeds) — 11:00 PM
- June 24: England vs West Indies (Lord’s, London) — 11:00 PM
- June 25: India vs Bangladesh (Old Trafford, Manchester) — 7:00 PM
- June 25: South Africa vs Netherlands (Bristol County Ground, Bristol) — 11:00 PM
- June 26: Sri Lanka vs Scotland (Old Trafford, Manchester) — 11:00 PM
- June 27: Pakistan vs Netherlands (Bristol County Ground, Bristol) — 3:00 PM
- June 27: West Indies vs Ireland (Bristol County Ground, Bristol) — 7:00 PM
- June 27: England vs New Zealand (The Oval, London) — 11:00 PM
- June 28: South Africa vs Bangladesh (Lord’s, London) — 3:00 PM
- June 28: Australia vs India (Lord’s, London) — 7:00 PM
Knockout Stage & Finals
- June 30 — Semi-Final 1: Group A Winner vs Group B Runner-up (The Oval, London) — 7:00 PM
- July 2 — Semi-Final 2: Group B Winner vs Group A Runner-up (The Oval, London) — 11:00 PM
- July 5 — Grand Final: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 (Lord’s, London) — 7:00 PM
Record-Breaking Financial Stakes
The financial reward pool for the 2026 edition has reached an all-time high of USD 8,764,615 (approx. ₹73.2 Crore), illustrating a solid 10% elevation from the baseline set during the 2024 iteration in the UAE.
- Ultimate Champions: USD 2,340,000 (approx. ₹19.5 Crore)
- Tournament Runners-up: USD 1,170,000 (approx. ₹9.7 Crore)
- Losing Semi-finalists: USD 675,000 each (approx. ₹5.6 Crore)
- Group-Stage Match Premium: USD 31,154 per win (approx. ₹26 Lakh)
- Base Participation Guarantee: USD 247,500 minimum per team (approx. ₹2 Crore)