The road to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 enters a decisive phase this month, with ten teams converging in Nepal to fight for the final four places at the global event. From January 18 to February 1, the Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier will determine which nations join the already-qualified teams at the main tournament, scheduled to be held in England and Wales later this year.
Matches will be played across two venues in Kathmandu: the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, which has a capacity of 14,000, a nd the Mulpani International Cricket Ground, which can host up to 5,000 spectators. With qualification of the line and several teams chasing history, the tournament promises two weeks of high-stakes cricket.
How the qualifier is structured
The ten teams have
been divided into two groups of five. Group A features Bangladesh, Ireland, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, and the United States of America. Group B includes hosts Nepal, Netherlands, Scotland, Thailand, and Zimbabwe.
Group-stage matches will be played on alternate days between January 18 and 26. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, beginning on January 28. From there, the top four teams in the standings will secure qualification for the Women's T20 World Cup.
While Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, and Thailand have all featured at the Women;s T20 World Cup before, the remaining six teams are chasing a maiden appearance, adding an extra layer of urgency to the competition.
How to watch ICC Women's T20 World Cup
All matches from the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier will be streamed live on ICC.tv, ensuring fans around the world can follow every step of the qualification race as it unfolds in Nepal.
Players to keep an eye on
Warm-up matches ahead of the qualifier have already offered a glimpse of players settling into Nepalese conditions. Papua New Guinea's Konio Oala announced herself with a 71 of 52 balls, including seven sixes, against Zimbabwe. Her teammate, bowler Hane Tau, impressed with 4-19.
Ireland's Orla Prendergast has arrived in form, registering back-to-back half-centuries against Nepal and Zimbabwe, when Gaby Lewis struck a rapid 77 off 38 balls in the same warm-up series. The Netherlands' Heather Siegers produced a standout all-round display against Namibia, scoring 86 from 39 deliveries before taking three wickets.
Several teams also bring proven performers from previous ICC events. Bangladesh captain Nigar Siltana Joty and Sharmin Akhter were both named in the Team of the Tournament at the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier, as were Scotland's Katherine Fraser, Kathryn Bryce, the leading run-scorer, and the event.
The qualifier also serves as a launchpad for emerging talent. USA opener Chetna Pagydyala, just 17, made an unbeaten 56 in a warmup game. Zimbabwe's Beloved Biza, who recently turned 17, has been opening the batting.
