The Women’s T20 World Cup returns to England from 12 June, and for the first time the event has expanded to twelve teams split across two groups of six. Hosts England will chase a first global title since 2009 on home soil, but they face a crowded field led by six-time winners Australia and defending champions New Zealand.
Every nation has now confirmed a 15-player squad, blending battle-hardened names with a wave of newcomers. Here is the complete guide to who is going, and who is leading them.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Groups
The draw has produced a top-heavy Group A and a more open Group B. Australia, South Africa and India crowd the former, while England’s group offers the hosts a realistic route to the semi-finals despite the threat posed by reigning champions New Zealand.
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Australia | England |
| Bangladesh | Ireland |
| India | New Zealand |
| Netherlands | Scotland |
| Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
| South Africa | West Indies |
(Source: ICC)
T20 World Cup Group A Squads
Group A is loaded with heavyweights, pairing back-to-back finalists South Africa with perennial favourites Australia and a resurgent India. The Netherlands and a transitioning Pakistan face a tall order, while Qualifier winners Bangladesh aim to spring a surprise.
Australia Squad
Australia remain the benchmark in women’s cricket, six-time T20 World Cup winners with frightening depth in every department. Sophie Molineux takes the captaincy with Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner as deputies, and the batting runs deep through Litchfield, Perry and Mooney.
Captain: Sophie Molineux
Squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Beth Mooney (wk), Megan Schutt, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Voll, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Phoebe Litchfield, Alana King, Kim Garth, Georgia Wareham, Grace Harris, Lucy Hamilton
Bangladesh Squad
Bangladesh arrive as Qualifier champions, having come through Nepal earlier this year to book their place. Captain and wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana anchors a spin-reliant side, with Nahida Akter and Rabeya Khan offering control, though scoring quickly on English pitches will test them.
Captain: Nigar Sultana
Squad: Nigar Sultana (c, wk), Nahida Akter (vc), Rabeya Khan, Sobhana Mostary, Juairiya Ferdous (wk), Fahima Khatun, Shorna Akter, Sharmin Akhter, Sultana Khatun, Sanjida Akter Meghla, Taj Nehar, Fariha Trisna, Ritu Moni, Marufa Akter, Dilara Akter (wk)
India Squad
India come buoyed by their maiden 50-over World Cup triumph in 2025 and look a genuine threat. Harmanpreet Kaur leads a powerful batting unit featuring Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh, while Deepti Sharma’s all-round craft remains central to their hopes.
Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur
Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Shafali Verma, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Bharti Fulmali, Nandini Sharma
Netherlands Squad
The Netherlands reached the tournament through the Global Qualifier and will relish the step up. Captain and wicketkeeper Babette de Leede leads a youthful, inexperienced group whose priority is competing hard and gathering valuable exposure against the established powers of the women’s game.
Captain: Babette de Leede
Squad: Babette de Leede (c, wk), Lara Leemhuis, Iris Zwilling, Hannah Landheer, Robine Rijke, Phebe Molkenboer, Isabel van der Woning, Heather Siegers, Caroline de Lange, Sanya Khurana, Sterre Kalis, Myrthe van den Raad, Frederique Overdijk, Silver Siegers, Rosalie Ann Lawrence (wk)
Pakistan Squad
Pakistan have never advanced beyond the group stage in nine previous editions and will hope a refreshed squad changes that. Fatima Sana captains for a second straight World Cup, leading a side that blends the experience of Muneeba Ali with five tournament newcomers.
Captain: Fatima Sana
Squad: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan
South Africa Squad
South Africa reached the last two T20 World Cup finals and carry real belief under captain Laura Wolvaardt, one of the format’s finest batters. Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk and Nonkululeko Mlaba give them balance, though converting near-misses into a title remains the question.
Captain: Laura Wolvaardt
Squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sinalo Jafta (wk), Karabo Meso (wk), Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nadine de Klerk, Kayla Reyneke, Annerie Dercksen, Dane van Niekerk, Shabnim Ismail, Suné Luus, Ayabonga Khaka
T20 World Cup Group B Squads
Group B looks more open, with hosts England and reigning champions New Zealand the likely front-runners. Former winners West Indies carry genuine threat, while Ireland, Scotland and Sri Lanka will fight to upset the order.
England Squad
Hosts England carry the weight of home expectation under head coach Charlotte Edwards. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt anchors a deep, well-rounded squad, blending Sophie Ecclestone’s world-class spin with the batting firepower of Alice Capsey, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Heather Knight, and familiar conditions should suit them well.
Captain: Nat Sciver-Brunt
Squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Charlie Dean (vc), Amy Jones (wk), Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Sophie Ecclestone, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Danielle Gibson, Lauren Filer, Issy Wong, Tilly Corteen-Coleman
Ireland Squad
Ireland qualified in style, with captain Gaby Lewis finishing as the leading run-scorer at the Global Qualifier. Alongside the talented all-rounder Orla Prendergast, Lewis gives Ireland genuine match-winners, but a thin squad means they will need their key players firing to spring surprises.
Captain: Gaby Lewis
Squad: Gaby Lewis (c), Orla Prendergast (vc), Christina Coulter Reilly (wk), Amy Hunter (wk), Ava Canning, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
New Zealand Squad
New Zealand arrive as defending champions after their stunning 2024 triumph, and they will fancy their chances again. Amelia Kerr captains a side rich in experience through Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, with the all-round quality to trouble any opponent on their day.
Captain: Amelia Kerr
Squad: Amelia Kerr (c), Izzy Gaze (wk), Polly Inglis (wk), Izzy Sharp (wk), Maddy Green, Lea Tahuhu, Suzie Bates, Jess Kerr, Flora Devonshire, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Brooke Halliday, Sophie Devine, Bree Illing
Scotland Squad
Scotland reached the global stage through the Qualifier and will treasure the experience. The Bryce sisters, captain Kathryn and wicketkeeper Sarah, carry much of the load, supported by leg-spinner Abtaha Maqsood. Competing with the established sides will be a steep but welcome challenge.
Captain: Kathryn Bryce
Squad: Kathryn Bryce (c), Sarah Bryce (wk), Darcey Carter (wk), Ailsa Lister (wk), Pippa Sproul (wk), Priyanaz Chatterji, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Olivia Bell, Chloe Abel, Kirstie Gordon, Gabriella Fontenla, Maisie Maceira, Katherine Fraser, Rachel Slater
Sri Lanka Squad
Sri Lanka lean heavily on the brilliance of captain Chamari Athapaththu, featuring in her record tenth World Cup. A largely inexperienced supporting cast includes eight tournament debutants, so much will depend on Athapaththu’s bat and the spin of Kavisha Dilhari to make an impression.
Captain: Chamari Athapaththu
Squad: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Shashini Gimhani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya
West Indies Squad
West Indies, champions back in 2016, blend seasoned campaigners with a spin-heavy attack suited to English summers. Captain Hayley Matthews is among the world’s premier all-rounders, and the experience of Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor gives the Caribbean side the firepower to upset the favourites.
Captain: Hayley Matthews
Squad: Hayley Matthews (c), Chinelle Henry (vc), Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Shawnisha Hector
Who has the Strongest Squad at the T20 World Cup 2026?
On paper, Australia still possess the strongest and deepest squad, with match-winners in every discipline and unmatched tournament pedigree. Their batting alone, from Litchfield and Perry to Mooney and Gardner, would grace any side. England, however, are well placed at home: a balanced unit with world-class spin and a long batting order suited to English conditions.
South Africa’s finishing experience and New Zealand’s title-winning core also command respect. The likely contenders pick themselves, yet depth, leadership and adaptability to early-summer pitches will decide who lifts the trophy at Lord’s. Australia start as the team to beat.
