Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: All you need to know

New Delhi, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) The stage is set for the 10th edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, with the world's best teams gearing up for a month-long battle for the biggest prize in women's T20 cricket. Hosted by England and Wales, the tournament begins on June 12 and promises to be the largest edition in the competition's history, featuring 12 teams for the first time.

The tournament returns to England for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2009. On that occasion, England lifted the trophy under the leadership of Charlotte Edwards, who now serves as head coach of the national women's team. The hosts will also draw inspiration from their memorable ICC Women's Cricket World Cup triumph on home soil in 2017.

New Zealand enter the tournament as defending champions after securing their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title in the UAE in 2024. The White Ferns became only the fourth team to lift the trophy since the competition's inception in 2009.

England won the inaugural edition in 2009, while West Indies claimed their only title in 2016. Australia remain the most successful side in tournament history, having won the title six times.

Hosts England qualified automatically, while Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and West Indies secured direct qualification through their ICC rankings. Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands booked their spots through the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier earlier this year.

Netherlands will make their Women's T20 World Cup debut after finishing among the qualifying teams at the Global Qualifier. Their qualification marks another significant step in the growth of women's cricket across Europe and adds a fresh dimension to this year's competition.

A record 12 teams have been split into two groups of six. While Group A consists of Australia, Bangladesh, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan and South Africa, hosts England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies form Group B.

Each team will play the other sides in their group once during the round-robin stage. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the winners progressing to the final.

The tournament's 33 matches will be played across seven venues in England. They are Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Bristol County Ground (Bristol), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), The Oval (London), and Lord's (London).

All participating teams will play two warm-up matches before the tournament begins. The warm-up fixtures start on June 6 and will be staged across Derby, Loughborough and Cardiff, providing teams with an opportunity to fine-tune preparations ahead of the main event.

The semi-finals will be held at The Oval on June 30 and July 2, while the final will take place at Lord's on July 5.

The ICC has announced a record prize pool of USD 8,764,615 for the tournament, representing a 10 per cent increase from the previous edition. The winners will receive USD 2,340,000, while the runners-up will earn USD 1,170,000. Losing semi-finalists will take home USD 675,000 each, while every group-stage victory will be worth USD 31,154.

All 12 participating teams are guaranteed a minimum payout of USD 247,500. The increase in prize money reflects the ICC's continued commitment to expanding and strengthening the women's game globally.

With established powers such as Australia, England and reigning ODI world champions India, joined by emerging sides including Scotland and debutants Netherlands, the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup promises to be one of the most competitive and significant editions in the tournament's history.

Where to watch the Women’s T20 World Cup: Fans worldwide can watch the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 through various TV and digital broadcasters. In India and nearby regions such as Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, the tournament will be aired on Star Sports and streamed live on JioHotstar. Hosts England will have coverage on Sky Sports, while Australian viewers can tune in via Prime Video.

In New Zealand, matches will be shown on Sky Sport. Pakistani viewers can follow the action on PTV Sports, Geo Super, and Myco. Coverage in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa will come from SuperSport, and Willow TV will broadcast the games in the United States and Canada. For those in areas without a dedicated broadcaster, live streaming will be available on ICC.tv, ensuring worldwide access.

All 12 squads for the Women’s T20 World Cup:

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: 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

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, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhy.

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

Source: IANS