The world’s top teams are preparing for a month-long battle for the greatest prize in women’s T20 cricket as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup’s tenth edition gets underway.

Beginning on June 12 and taking place in England and Wales, the competition will be the biggest in its history, with 12 teams competing for the first time.

For the first time since the inaugural edition in 2009, the tournament is back in England. England won the championship under the guidance of Charlotte Edwards, who is presently the national women’s team’s head coach. The hosts will also look to their famous ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory on home soil in 2017 for guidance.

After winning their first Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2024, New Zealand enters the tournament as the defending champions. The White Ferns were the fourth team to win the trophy since the competition began in 2009.

West Indies won their only championship in 2016, while England won the first edition in 2009. With six titles, Australia is still the most successful team in tournament history.

Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and West Indies qualified directly through their ICC rankings, while hosts England qualified automatically. Ireland, Bangladesh, Scotland, and the Netherlands qualified through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier earlier this year.

After qualifying at the Global Qualifier, the Netherlands will play their first Women’s T20 World Cup game. Their qualification marks another major step forward for women’s cricket throughout Europe and offers a new dimension to this year’s competition.

A maximum of 12 teams has been divided into two groups of six. Group B includes hosts England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies, while Group A includes Australia, Bangladesh, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and South Africa.

During the round-robin stage, every squad will face each of the opposing teams in their group once. The two best teams in each group will proceed to the semi-finals, with the victors moving on to the championship game.

Across England’s seven locations, 33 games will be played during the competition. Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Bristol County Ground (Bristol), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), The Oval (London), and Lord’s (London) are among them.

Before the tournament officially begins, each team that is taking part will play two warm-up games. Teams will have the chance to perfect their preparations for the main event thanks to the warm-up games, which will be held in Loughborough, Derby, and Cardiff beginning on June 6.

The semifinals will take place at The Oval on June 30 and July 2, and the final will be played at Lord’s on July 5.

With a record prize pool of USD 8,764,615, a 10% increase from the previous tournament, the ICC has made the announcement. The champions will be awarded USD 2,340,000, whereas the runners-up will be given USD 1,170,000. While each group-stage win will be valued at USD 31,154, losing semi-finalists will receive USD 675,000.

The 12 teams taking part are each guaranteed at least USD 247,500. The ICC’s ongoing dedication to growing and enhancing the women’s game around the world is shown by the rise in prize money.

The 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup is set to be one of the tournament’s most competitive and important editions, with established powers like Australia, England, and current ODI world champions India joining up-and-coming teams like Scotland and debutants Netherlands.

How to View the Women’s T20 World Cup: Numerous TV and digital broadcasters will broadcast the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 to fans all over the world. On Star Sports and live on JioHotstar, the event will be broadcast in India and close-by countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Sky Sports will provide coverage for England, the host nation, and Prime Video will allow Australian viewers to watch.

Sky Sport will broadcast the matches in New Zealand. Viewers in Pakistan can watch the action on Myco, Geo Super, and PTV Sports. The matches will be broadcast in the US and Canada by Willow TV, and in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa by SuperSport. Live streaming will be accessible globally via ICC. tv for individuals in regions without a specialized broadcaster.

 

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