Vinay Kumar
NEW DELHI: The countdown to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has begun, with England preparing to host the tournament for the first time in 17 years. The last time the competition was staged in England was in 2009, when the home side created history by becoming the inaugural champions under the leadership of Charlotte Edwards, who now serves as England Women’s head coach.The hosts will be aiming to recreate those golden memories while also drawing inspiration from their triumph in the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, which was also won on home soil.
Women’s T20 World Cup : 12 teams for the first time
The 2026 edition will be the biggest Women’s T20 World Cup ever, featuring 12 teams for the first time.England earned automatic qualification as hosts, while Australia, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies secured direct entry based on their ICC rankings.Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and first-time qualifiers Netherlands completed the line-up after progressing through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier earlier this year.The 12 teams have been divided into two groups of six. Each team will play five group-stage matches, facing every other side in its group once. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
Women’s T20 World Cup venues
A total of 33 matches will be played across seven venues in England — Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Bristol County Ground (Bristol), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), The Oval and Lord’s in London.The semi-finals are scheduled to be held at The Oval on June 30 and July 2, while the tournament final will take place at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Prize Money
The International Cricket Council has announced a record prize fund of US$8,764,615 for the tournament, representing a 10 per cent increase from the previous edition in 2024.The T20 World Cup champion will receive US$2.34 million, while the runners-up will take home US$1.17 million. Teams losing in the semi-finals will earn US$675,000 each.In addition, every group-stage victory will be worth US$31,154, while all 12 participating teams are guaranteed a minimum payout of US$247,500 regardless of their final standing.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squads:
GROUP 1:AUSTRALIA: 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 WarehamBANGLADESH: 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 NeharINDIA: 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 YadavNETHERLANDS: 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 KalisPAKISTAN: 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 RubabSOUTH AFRICA: 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 NierkerkGROUP 2:ENGLAND: 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-HodgeIRELAND: 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 TectorNEW ZEALAND: 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 TahuhuSCOTLAND: 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 SproulSRI LANKA: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kaveesha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Shashini Gimhani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya WEST INDIES: 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
