The countdown to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 has officially begun with several teams unveiling their squads for the global tournament. The showpiece event to be staged in England and Wales, will see twelve teams in action. Commencing on June 12, New Zealand will be defending the crown that they won in 2024.
Defending champions Australia women's national cricket team will once again enter the competition as favourites with a star-studded squad led by Sophie Molineux, while India women's national cricket team will look to challenge for their maiden T20 World Cup title under Harmanpreet Kaur.
The tournament features two groups packed with elite talent, experienced campaigners and exciting young names across world cricket.
Australia's squad
includes established match-winners like Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath, alongside spin options Alana King and Georgia Wareham. The presence of experienced pacer Megan Schutt further strengthens an already balanced unit.
India, meanwhile, have retained the core of their white-ball side with Harmanpreet Kaur leading a squad featuring Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh. Young names such as Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma and Kranti Gaud have also been included as India continue building towards a new generation.
South Africa's squad once again revolves around captain Laura Wolvaardt alongside senior stars Marizanne Kapp, Shabnim Ismail, Chloe Tryon and Dane van Nierkerk, while Bangladesh will be led by Nigar Sultana Joty.
In Group 2, England will be captained by Nat Sciver-Brunt and feature major names like Sophie Ecclestone, Heather Knight, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Alice Capsey.
New Zealand, led by Melie Kerr, have named an experienced squad featuring Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu, while Scotland will once again rely heavily on captain Kathryn Bryce and wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce.
Pakistan, Ireland, Sri Lanka and West Indies are yet to announce their squads.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 - Group 1 Squads
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, Frederique 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
Squad yet to be announced.
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.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 - Group 2 Squads
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
Squad yet to be announced.
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
Squad yet to be announced.
West Indies
Squad yet to be announced.
