The biggest Women’s T20 World Cup in history is set to get underway as 12 teams descend on England and Wales for the 10th edition of the tournament. Running from June 12 to July 5, the competition will bring together established powerhouses, emerging nations and some of the biggest stars in the women’s game for 33 matches across seven venues.
The tournament returns to England for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2009 and arrives at a significant moment for women’s cricket. With an expanded field of 12 teams, record prize money and growing global interest, the 2026 edition represents another major step in the sport’s evolution.
History:
The Women’s T20 World Cup was first held in 2009, with England becoming the inaugural champions after defeating New Zealand in the final at Lord’s. Since then, Australia have established themselves as the dominant force in the competition. The Australians have won six of the nine editions played so far and remain the most successful side in tournament history.
England and West Indies have each lifted the trophy once, in 2009 and 2016 respectively, while New Zealand became the fourth nation to win the title when they defeated South Africa in the 2024 final in the UAE. That triumph ended years of heartbreak for the White Ferns and secured their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup crown. As the defending champions, New Zealand will arrive in England carrying expectations, but with Australia chasing a seventh title and England enjoying home conditions, the race for the trophy appears more open than ever.
Format:
The 2026 edition introduces the biggest change in the tournament’s history with the field expanding from 10 teams to 12 teams.
Hosts England qualified automatically, while Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies secured qualification through the ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings. Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and tournament debutants the Netherlands earned their places through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.
The 12 teams have been divided into two groups of six teams each. During the group stage, every team will face the other five teams in its group once. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the winners progressing to the final at Lord’s.
The expanded format not only increases the number of participating nations but also provides emerging teams with more opportunities to compete against established powers on the biggest stage. The inclusion of the Netherlands, making their tournament debut, is another milestone in the global growth of women’s cricket.
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 Wareham
Bangladesh
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
India
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
Netherlands
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
Pakistan
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
South 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 Nierkerk
Group 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-Hodge
Ireland
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
New Zealand
Amelia 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
Scotland
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
Sri 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
Schedule:
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (BST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 12 | England vs Sri Lanka | Edgbaston | 18:30 |
| June 13 | Scotland vs Ireland | Old Trafford | 10:30 |
| June 13 | Australia vs South Africa | Old Trafford | 14:30 |
| June 13 | West Indies vs New Zealand | Hampshire Bowl | 18:30 |
| June 14 | Bangladesh vs Netherland | Edgbaston | 10:30 |
| June 14 | India vs Pakistan | Edgbaston | 14:30 |
| June 16 | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka | Hampshire Bowl | 14:30 |
| June 16 | England vs Ireland | Hampshire Bowl | 18:30 |
| June 17 | Australia vs Bangladesh | Headingley | 10:30 |
| June 17 | India vs Netherlands | Headingley | 14:30 |
| June 17 | South Africa vs Pakistan | Edgbaston | 18:30 |
| June 18 | West Indies vs Scotland | Headingley | 18:30 |
| June 19 | New Zealand vs Ireland | Hampshire Bowl | 18:30 |
| June 20 | Australia vs Netherlands | Hampshire Bowl | 10:30 |
| June 20 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Hampshire Bowl | 14:30 |
| June 20 | England vs Scotland | Headingley | 18:30 |
| June 21 | West Indies vs Sri Lanka | Bristol County Ground | 10:30 |
| June 21 | South Africa vs India | Old Trafford | 14:30 |
| June 23 | New Zealand vs Scotland | Bristol County Ground | 10:30 |
| June 23 | Sri Lanka vs Ireland | Bristol County Ground | 14:30 |
| June 23 | Australia vs Pakistan | Headingley | 18:30 |
| June 24 | England vs West Indies | Lord’s Cricket Ground | 18:30 |
| June 25 | India vs Bangladesh | Old Trafford | 14:30 |
| June 25 | South Africa vs Netherlands | Bristol County Ground | 18:30 |
| June 26 | Sri Lanka vs Scotland | Old Trafford | 18:30 |
| June 27 | Pakistan vs Netherlands | Bristol County Ground | 10:30 |
| June 27 | West Indies vs Ireland | Bristol County Ground | 14:30 |
| June 27 | England vs New Zealand | The Oval | 18:30 |
| June 28 | South Africa vs Bangladesh | Lord’s Cricket Ground | 10:30 |
| June 28 | Australia vs India | Lord’s Cricket Ground | 14:30 |
| June 30 | TBC vs TBC (Semi Final 1) | The Oval | 14:30 |
| July 2 | TBC vs TBC (Semi Final 2) | The Oval | 18:30 |
| July 5 | TBC vs TBC (The Final) | Lord’s Cricket Ground | 14:30 |
Prize Money:
The ICC has announced a record prize pool of US$8.76 million for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, underlining the continued growth and commercial development of the women’s game. The champions will receive US$2.34 million, while the runners-up will earn US$1.17 million. Teams that reach the semi-finals but fail to progress will each receive US$675,000.
Every group-stage victory will also carry financial rewards, with teams earning US$31,154 per win. Additionally, all 12 participating nations are guaranteed a minimum payout of US$247,500 regardless of their performance. The prize pool represents a 10 percent increase from the previous edition and reflects the ICC’s commitment to investing in women’s cricket at the highest level.
Broadcast and live streaming:
Fans around the world will be able to watch the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 through a range of television and digital broadcasters.
In India and neighbouring regions including Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the tournament will be broadcast on the Star Sports network and streamed live on JioHotstar. Hosts England will have coverage through Sky Sports, while viewers in Australia can watch via Prime Video.
In New Zealand, matches will be available on Sky Sport, while Pakistan viewers can follow the tournament on PTV Sports, Geo Super and Myco. In South Africa and across Sub-Saharan Africa, coverage will be provided by SuperSport, while Willow TV will broadcast matches in the United States and Canada.
For fans in territories without a dedicated broadcast partner, live streaming will be available through ICC.tv, ensuring global access to the tournament.
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