The stage is set for the 10th edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, with England and Wales ready to host the biggest edition of the tournament yet from June 12 to July 5. A record 12 teams will battle across seven venues and 33 matches for the ultimate prize in the shortest format, with defending champions New Zealand aiming to retain the crown and six-time winners Australia once again starting as one of the favourites.
England, West Indies and New Zealand have lifted the trophy once each, while Australia have enjoyed unprecedented dominance with six titles. With an expanded field, a record prize pool and several heavyweight clashes, the 2026 edition promises to be one of the most competitive in the tournament's history.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup History
The Women's T20 World Cup began in 2009 and has grown into one of cricket's marquee global events. England won the inaugural edition in 2009, while West Indies lifted the trophy in 2016. Australia have dominated the competition with six titles (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023), while New Zealand joined the winners' club after clinching their maiden crown in the UAE in 2024.
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Teams and Qualification
For the first time, 12 teams will compete in a Women's T20 World Cup, up from 10 in previous editions. The number is set to increase further to 16 teams from 2030. Hosts England qualified automatically, while New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, India and West Indies sealed places through their performances at the 2024 World Cup. Sri Lanka and Pakistan progressed via the ICC rankings, while Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and tournament debutants Netherlands booked their spots through the Global Qualifier.
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Format
A record 12 teams have been split into two groups of six. Each side will play every other team in its group once, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
- Group 1: Australia, Bangladesh, India, Netherlands, Pakistan, South Africa
- Group 2: England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka, West Indies
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Venues
A total of 33 matches will be played across seven venues in England:
- Lord's, London – Capacity 31,100
- The Oval, London – Capacity 27,500
- Old Trafford, Manchester – Capacity 26,000
- Edgbaston, Birmingham – Capacity 25,000
- Hampshire Bowl, Southampton – Capacity 25,000
- Headingley, Leeds – Capacity 18,350
- Bristol County Ground, Bristol – Capacity 17,500
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Full Schedule (IST)
The tournament opens on June 12 with hosts England taking on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. The semi-finals will be played at The Oval on June 30 and July 2, while the final is scheduled to be held at Lord's on July 5.
- June 12: England vs Sri Lanka (Edgbaston) – 11:00 PM
- June 13: Scotland vs Ireland (Old Trafford) – 3:00 PM; Australia vs South Africa (Old Trafford) – 7:00 PM; West Indies vs New Zealand (Hampshire Bowl) – 11:00 PM
- June 14: Bangladesh vs Netherlands (Edgbaston) – 3:00 PM; India vs Pakistan (Edgbaston) – 7:00 PM
- June 16: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (Hampshire Bowl) – 7:00 PM; England vs Ireland (Hampshire Bowl) – 11:00 PM
- June 17: Australia vs Bangladesh (Headingley) – 3:00 PM; India vs Netherlands (Headingley) – 7:00 PM; South Africa vs Pakistan (Edgbaston) – 11:00 PM
- June 18: West Indies vs Scotland (Headingley) – 11:00 PM
- June 19: New Zealand vs Ireland (Hampshire Bowl) – 11:00 PM
- June 20: Australia vs Netherlands – 3:00 PM; Pakistan vs Bangladesh – 7:00 PM; England vs Scotland – 11:00 PM
- June 21: West Indies vs Sri Lanka – 3:00 PM; South Africa vs India – 7:00 PM
- June 23: New Zealand vs Scotland – 3:00 PM; Sri Lanka vs Ireland – 7:00 PM; Australia vs Pakistan – 11:00 PM
- June 24: England vs West Indies (Lord's) – 11:00 PM
- June 25: India vs Bangladesh – 7:00 PM; South Africa vs Netherlands – 11:00 PM
- June 26: Sri Lanka vs Scotland – 11:00 PM
- June 27: Pakistan vs Netherlands – 3:00 PM; West Indies vs Ireland – 7:00 PM; England vs New Zealand – 11:00 PM
- June 28: South Africa vs Bangladesh – 3:00 PM; Australia vs India – 7:00 PM
- June 30: Semi-final 1 (The Oval) – 7:00 PM
- July 2: Semi-final 2 (The Oval) – 11:00 PM
- July 5: Final (Lord's) – 7:00 PM
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Prize Money
The ICC has announced a record prize pool of $8,764,615, a 10 per cent increase from the previous edition. The increase continues the ICC's push to strengthen women's cricket and follows the introduction of equal prize money for men's and women's global events.
- Winners: $2.34 million
- Runners-up: $1.17 million
- Losing semi-finalists: $675,000
- Each group-stage win: $31,154
- Minimum guaranteed amount for every team: $247,500
Where to Watch Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in India
Live streaming: JioHotstar app and website. Television: Star Sports network in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
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 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
