ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule Announced: Key Matches and Teams
Overview of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026
Dubai, Feb 24: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially released the schedule for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, set to kick off on June 12. The opening match will feature the host nation, England, facing Sri Lanka, while the final is scheduled for July 5 at the prestigious Lord's Cricket Ground.
This schedule comes after the conclusion of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier held in Nepal last month, where Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands secured their spots, completing the lineup of 12 teams for the tournament.
The qualifying teams will compete alongside established teams such as defending champions New Zealand, the inaugural winners England, 2016 champions West Indies, current ODI World Cup holders India, and six-time champions Australia.
The tournament will feature 12 teams divided into two groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
India is placed in Group A alongside six-time champions Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. Their first match is against Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston, followed by a game against the Netherlands on June 16. They will also face South Africa on June 21, Bangladesh on June 25, and conclude the group stage against Australia on June 28.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta emphasized the significance of the schedule release, stating, "This marks a crucial step towards the premier global sporting event. Our ongoing investment in women's cricket aims to enhance participation, performance standards, and commercial partnerships, ultimately increasing the sport's visibility and appeal to fans worldwide."
India has yet to win the Women's T20 World Cup in its nine editions, having reached the semi-finals four times and competing in the final in 2020. The upcoming tournament presents an opportunity for them to achieve their first title.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Groups:
Group 1: Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands
Group 2: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland