Ireland have announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be held in India and Sri Lanka. The team’s highest run-getter Paul Stirling in the T20I format will lead the side, with wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker appointed as vice-captain.
Out of the 15 players selected for the marquee event, 12 were part of Ireland’s squad in the previous edition of the tournament. The squad also features a few fresh faces, with Tim Tector, Ben Calitz, and Matthew Humphreys earning
their spots following consistent performances at the domestic and international levels.
This will mark Ireland’s ninth appearance at the Men’s T20 World Cup. Their best performances came in the 2009 and 2022 editions, where they progressed to the second round and registered memorable victories over former champions West Indies and England. Those wins remain some of the most significant moments in Ireland’s T20 World Cup history.
Ireland National Men’s selector Andrew White expressed optimism ahead of the tournament, stating that the team is aiming to deliver an improved and more competitive performance in what promises to be a highly challenging competition.
"To say we are very much looking forward to this T20 World Cup is an under-statement. After a memorable 2022 tournament, we probably weren’t at our best in 2024 – and have been waiting to rectify that ever since,” said White as quoted by ICC.
"There is no doubt we are in a highly competitive group, which includes playing the tournament hosts but we have played these sides recently enough in previous editions of this tournament, and will go into these matches with no fear. We have played a fair bit in this part of the world in the last few years, so we will be in a good position to plan and prepare thoroughly, and be ready for the challenge when the time comes,” he added.
Ireland will lock horns with Italy and the United Arab Emirates in the lead-up to the global tournament as part of their preparation. At the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, they have been placed in Group B alongside Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman, and Zimbabwe. Ireland will begin their campaign against Sri Lanka in Colombo on February 8.
Ireland squad for T20 World Cup:
Paul Stirling (Captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young
