ICC Unveils Full Schedule for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, India Set for High-Stakes Group Clash

Dubai, Feb 2026 : The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday officially released the complete schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, setting the stage for a blockbuster global tournament to be held in England from June 12 to July 5. The competition will open with hosts England taking on Sri Lanka on June 12, while the grand final will be played at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, widely regarded as the Home of Cricket.

The announcement follows the conclusion of the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier held in Nepal last month, which finalized the 12-team lineup for the marquee event. Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands secured the final four berths through the qualification pathway, joining an elite group of established cricketing nations.

They will compete alongside defending champions New Zealand, hosts England—who also won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2009—former champions West Indies, reigning ODI World Cup winners India, and six-time Women’s T20 World Cup champions Australia. With a rich blend of legacy teams and emerging contenders, the 2026 edition promises intense competition and global appeal.

Tournament Format and Groups
The tournament will feature 12 teams divided into two groups of six. Each team will play the others in its group once, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The format ensures a competitive league stage where consistency and depth will be crucial for qualification.

India have been placed in a challenging Group A alongside powerhouse Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Group B comprises England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Scotland.

India’s Campaign
India’s group-stage journey begins with a high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston. They will then face the Netherlands on June 16, followed by South Africa on June 21 and Bangladesh on June 25. India will conclude their group-stage campaign against six-time champions Australia on June 28, a fixture expected to have major implications for semi-final qualification.

Despite being one of the most consistent sides in women’s cricket, India are still searching for their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title. Across nine editions so far, India have reached the semi-finals four times and made it to the final once, in 2020. The 2026 tournament represents another opportunity for the team to finally break the title barrier and convert promise into silverware.

ICC’s Vision for Women’s Cricket
ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta described the release of the schedule as a key milestone in the build-up to one of the world’s premier sporting events.

He said the tournament reflects the ICC’s sustained investment in women’s cricket, including expanded participation, high-performance pathways, enhanced event production standards, increased prize money, broader media distribution and stronger commercial partnerships. According to Gupta, these efforts are aimed at elevating the stature of the women’s game and deepening its connection with fans across the globe.

He also noted that the recent Women’s Cricket World Cup in India acted as a “force multiplier” for the sport, breaking records, capturing imaginations and inspiring communities. The ICC, he added, is keen to carry that momentum into the June–July 2026 event in England.

With iconic venues, historic rivalries and a tightly packed schedule, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is poised to be one of the most competitive and widely followed editions yet, as teams chase global glory and fans worldwide prepare for a summer of top-class women’s cricket.

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