The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the dates for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England, which will begin on Jun 12. The hosts, England, will lock horns with Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, while New Zealand will begin their title defense on the very next day at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton. India will hope for another cracked ICC event.

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will begin their campaign against the arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston on June 14, which will be the second encounter at the venue on that day after Bangladesh face the Netherlands. The game will take place in the afternoon of the local time, while in India, it will begin at 07:00 pm IST. As of now, the two sides have faced each other 16 times in the game, where the Pakistan side has won three times.

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The three times for the Pakistan side have come in 2012 in Galle, 2016 2016 in Delhi, and very recently in 2022 in Sylhet. However, the Blue Brigade has earned three successive wins in Cape Town, Dambulla, and Dubai, in the shortest format of the game, which increases its excitement among the fans.

When will India Women face Pakistan Women in T20 World Cup 2026?

In the previous encounter between the two sides, Pakistan batted first and got restricted to 105 for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Their middle-order batter, Nida Dar, got 28 runs in 34 balls at a strike rate of 82.35, while their top four players returned for 28 runs, which didn’t give a great impression.

Arundhati Reddy ended up with three wickets in her four-over spell for 19 runs at an economy rate of 4.75. Even Shreyanka Patil picked up two wickets in four overs at an economy rate of three, while the three other bowlers, Renuka Singh, Deepti Sharma, and Asha Sobhana, have bagged one wicket each.

India completed the chase by six wickets in 18.5 overs. Their captain, Harmanpreet, smashed 29 runs in 24 balls before being retired hurt. Shafali Varma played a stable knock of 32 runs with the help of three boundaries as Sajeevn Sajana drilled a first-ball boundary to claim the victory.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place in England and Wales from June 12 to July 05 next summer. Over the course of the 24 days, a total of 33 games will be played across the seven top-tier teams, including Old Trafford Cricket Ground (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), and Bristol County Ground.

England and Sri Lanka will play the opener on June 12 at Edgbaston ground, while India-Pakistan will take place on June 17 at Old Trafford in Headingley. New Zealand will begin the cmapaign as the defending champions, having beaten South Africa in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. 

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“The release of the schedule for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is an important milestone in the run-up to the global, premier sporting event. This event is in continuation of the ICC's sustained investment in women's Cricket.” The ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta, has expressed in a statement.

ICC reveals Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 full schedule

In Group 1, Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands have found their places, while in Group 2, the West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Scotland have made their presence.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule-

Ireland and Scotland completed the list of qualifiers for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup after securing crucial victories in the Global Qualifiers held in Kirtipur, Nepal. Ireland produced a dominant performance to defeat Thailand by 62 runs, while Scotland overcame the USA by 41 runs in their respective Super Six encounters.

The same qualification route which Bangladesh and the Netherlands used to secure their spots earlier has been confirmed as the pathway to the World Cup for both teams. Bangladesh finished at the top of the Super Six table with a flawless record, winning all their matches in the tournament. The Netherlands secured their first World Cup spot by finishing fourth while Ireland and Scotland secured second and third place.

Tournament format, venues and key details

The tournament will consist of 12 teams which include four teams from the Global Qualifiers and eight teams that received automatic entry. The England and Wales Cricket Board will conduct the tournament from June 12 to July 5 2026. The Women’s T20 World Cup will reach its 10th edition because England will host the tournament for its second time following the 2009 inaugural tournament.

The Women’s T20 World Cup will introduce 12 teams for the first time after the previous tournament used 10 teams. Across seven venues, which include Lord’s, Old Trafford, Headingley and Edgbaston, 33 matches will be conducted. The final match of the tournament will take place at Lord’s in London.

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The teams will be divided into two groups of six, with each side playing the others in their group once. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.

New Zealand will defend its title in the tournament because it won the 2024 edition, while Australia holds the record for most victories in the competition with six titles.

Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualified Teams

The Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will become a historic event which will enhance women's cricket development across the globe because of new teams and increased competition.

The Netherlands Women created history on Wednesday (January 28), as they secured their first qualification for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, which they secured in the Qualifier tournament. 

From the Qualifier of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, four teams would earn the main competition tickets. On Wednesday, we saw the first two bookings from this tournament as Bangladesh Women and the Netherlands Women have qualified for the upcoming competition.

Just like the Bangladesh Women, the Dutch Women also needed a win on Wednesday to secure their spot for the upcoming T20 World Cup. After restricting the USA Women to 129/7 in 20 overs, the Netherlands Women scored 90/2 in 12 overs before the rain interruption and won the match by 21 runs in the DLS method.   

See Also: Bangladesh women qualify for T20 World Cup 2026 amid ICC controversy

Watch: Netherlands Women celebration after qualifying for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026

After securing their historic first-ever qualification for the Women's T20 World Cup, the Netherlands Women's players celebrated with five on top of the rain-soaked covers on the ground. 

The Dutch Women have just done a celebratory dive on top of the rain soaked covers at TU Stadium in Kathmandu. Today's result, a 21-run DLS win over USA, means they're going to the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/orDS7LUJXb

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) January 28, 2026

Netherlands Women previously featured in four ICC Women's Cricket World Cups

The Netherlands Women previously played in four ICC Women's Cricket World Cups, in the 1988, 1993, 1997, and 2000 editions. However, the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will be their T20 World Cup debut, which England and Wales will host from June 12 to July 5, 2026. A total of 12 teams will participate in this upcoming tournament, out of which four teams will qualify from the ongoing Qualifiers. 

The Netherlands have scripted one of the most heart-warming stories in women’s cricket, sealing their maiden qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 after an unbeaten run at the Global Qualifiers in Nepal.

The historic moment was confirmed with a 21-run victory over the USA via the DLS method at the rain-hit TU Stadium. Chasing 130, the Dutch were cruising at 90 for two in 12 overs when rain halted play. With the par score comfortably surpassed, celebrations began early - and memorably - as players dived joyfully onto the soaked covers, fully aware they had just changed the course of Dutch women’s cricket.

From associate underdogs to World Cup debutants, the Dutch women turn belief into history

Led by captain Babette de Leede, the Netherlands were flawless throughout the tournament. They topped Group B with wins over Zimbabwe, Scotland, Nepal and Thailand, before beating the United States women's cricket team in their first Super Six match to seal qualification with two games to spare.

Watch the video:

The Dutch Women have just done a celebratory dive on top of the rain soaked covers at TU Stadium in Kathmandu. Today's result, a 21-run DLS win over USA, means they're going to the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/orDS7LUJXb

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) January 28, 2026

Netherlands women's captain Babette de Leede:

"We're one of the few countries with no contracts at all. We're an Associate country, where cricket is very small, but we made sure that everyone bought into this dream, and our dream has come true"#T20WorldCup #WT20WCQ pic.twitter.com/i1VacVgPet

— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) January 28, 2026

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What makes the achievement even more remarkable is the context. Speaking after qualification, de Leede highlighted the uphill battle faced by her side, noting that the team operates without central contracts in a country where cricket remains a minority sport. Yet belief, unity and commitment to a shared dream carried them through.

The 2026 edition will feature 12 teams and be hosted in England and Wales from June to July. Alongside the Netherlands, Bangladesh women's cricket team also booked their place, while Scotland, Ireland, the USA and Thailand continue to battle for the remaining spots.

For the Netherlands, this qualification is more than just a tournament entry - it’s a powerful statement that dreams in associate cricket can, and do, come true.

Cricket at the international level never lacked in 2025, especially from the standpoint of India. The men's team won the ICC Champions Trophy in the UAE, while the women’s team made history by winning their first-ever ODI World Cup. South Africa was the main character in the Test scenario, as they not only defeated India and thus won a very tight series, but ended up victorious in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Meanwhile, Australia took back the Ashes from England after defeating them at home, thus retaining the trophy.

In light of these events, the year 2026 is already seeing the glimmer of another entertaining chapter in the game. Cricket fans will witness a continuity of action through global ICC tournaments and high-stakes bilateral conflicts. Let us take a sneak peek at the five international cricketing events in 2026 that are going to be the most exciting to watch.

1 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup

Certainly, the year will be marked by the ICC Men's T20 World Cup as the prime attraction. The tournament is going to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8 and is going to feature the defending champions India who will be entering the World Cup exceptionally under pressure and with huge expectations especially because of the favorable home conditions.

A total of 20 teams are going to fight for the title, Organised in 4 groups of 5 each. India is drawn into Group A with Pakistan, Namibia, the United States, and the Netherlands, a group that assures thrilling matches and early controversies. The top two performing teams of each group will proceed to the Super Eight stage, then to the semifinals and finally to the championship match.

India, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and with Axar Patel as vice-captain, will be very much intent on retaining their title and once more proving their mettle in the shortest format.

2 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

The women's game is developing and growing more and more, and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup will be another landmark event. The tournament will take place in England from June 12 to July 5.

New Zealand will be the defending champions after getting their first title in 2024. India's squad will be full of hope to go really far this time after being runners-up in several earlier tournaments. The Indian women's side comprising both young and experienced will consider this championship as a golden chance to snatch their first T20 World Cup title. With full stadiums and a robust fan base in England, a very close cutoff and excellent tournament are what the fans can look forward to.

3 Cricket in the 2026 Asian Games

For the Asian Games, cricket has been scheduled again, and this time it will take place in Japan from September 19 to October 4. The Asian Cricket Council has announced that 10 men's and 8 women's teams will participate, and they were selected according to the continental rankings.

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This will be the fourth time cricket is played at the Asian Games. In 2010, 2014, and 2023, it was already on the agenda. India is entering as the reigning champion in both men's and women's categories, having taken home gold in Hangzhou.

The event not only grants awards but also acts as a battleground for the new Asian teams that want to test their skills against the big cricketing nations.

4 India Tour to New Zealand

India's journey to New Zealand will be one of the most difficult assignments of the year. The 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle includes India playing two Test matches, which will most probably take place in October–November 2026.

Usually, New Zealand has been a tough place for India in red-ball cricket. Out of the 25 Tests played at New Zealand, India has managed to win only five and has lost ten, while the rest have been drawn. The trip is also rumored to host three ODIs which will extend the competition even more.

Given the conditions that are friendly to the seamers and the constant swing, India's performance across all areas of batting, bowling, and fielding will surely be tested through this series.

5 Australia tour of South Africa 

The world cricket scene has very few rivalries that can match the one between Australia and South Africa, and the 2026 series is already expected to be an intense one. Australia will be traveling to South Africa, where they will play three Test matches as part of the WTC 2025–27 cycle and three ODIs, probably in September–October.

The two sides feature terrific pacers in their respective lineups, and games played in South African conditions are hardly ever boring. The presence of World Test Championship points will make it aggressive cricket, fiery spells, and tightly contested encounters all through the tour.

The race to gain qualification to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Global Qualifier has begun, with both Ireland and the Netherlands qualifying from the Europe region. The Netherlands qualified in style with a 65-run win over Germany, and they join Ireland as the two European countries that qualified for the next stage of the event. 

Ireland made their mark in the European Qualifier, having won their first five matches in a row, which ensured they finished top. The Dutch kept their focus in a must-win match against Germany, knowing that a win would finish them in the top two, regardless of what happened in Italy's final game against Ireland. The performance showed how the women's game is growing in the Netherlands, and it is encouraging to see it consistently progressing.

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European Teams Eye World Cup Berths After Qualifier Success

With these outcomes, Ireland and the Netherlands will now compete in the Global Qualifier, where a total of 10 teams will compete for 4 spots at the Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in England in 2026. Hey, now join Scotland and Bangladesh, who have already secured direct qualification for the qualifier as a result of being there in the 2024 edition of the tournament.

Other areas have also contributed a number of teams to the whole. The USA qualified from the Americas in March 2025, and Bhutan and Thailand qualified from the Asia Qualifier in May.  The final three spots will come in upcoming regional tournaments in Africa and East Asia Pacific, and set the scene for a mix of teams for a competitive tournament. 

The Global Qualifier is going to be an incredible tournament, with some established teams, as well as countries aspiring for a chance on the world stage. For Ireland and the Netherlands, getting to this point signifies their regional prowess and gives them a great opportunity to challenge themselves against stronger international opponents.

As anticipation builds from all parts of Europe, I know that European cricket fans will be paying attention to their teams' preparations and wishing these two teams further historical achievements to qualify for the Women’s T20 World Cup in England.

The countdown has officially commenced for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, with the complete fixture for the milestone tournament revealed today. To be staged over seven iconic stadiums in England, the 10th installment of the Women's T20 World Cup will get underway on Friday, 12 June 2026, and end with the final of the grand affair at Lord's Cricket Ground on Sunday, 5 July.

The month-long extravaganza will begin with hosts England facing Sri Lanka under lights at Edgbaston, Birmingham, in what is set to be an enthralling curtain-raiser. The tournament has 12 countries, grouped into two pools of six, with 33 matches to be played across 24 days.

Venues Befitting Champions

The seven host venues are:

• Lord's Cricket Ground (London – Final)
• The Oval (London – Semi-finals)
• Edgbaston (Birmingham)
• Old Trafford Cricket Ground (Manchester)
• Headingley (Leeds)
• Hampshire Bowl (Southampton)
• Bristol County Ground (Bristol)

Tournament Format

Two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, both of which will be staged at The Oval, with Group 1 champion vs Group 2 runner-up and vice versa. The final confrontation will take place at the home of cricket, Lord's, guaranteeing a historic conclusion.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Group Stage

Full Fixtures – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

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Blockbuster Clashes Await

Fans can look forward to high-voltage rivalries, including:

• India vs Pakistan – June 14 at Edgbaston
• Australia vs South Africa – June 13 at Old Trafford
• West Indies vs New Zealand – June 13 at Hampshire Bowl
• England vs New Zealand – June 27 at The Oval
• Australia vs India – June 28 at Lord’s

Growing Global Representation

Four places will be taken by the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2025, and eight teams are already qualified. The 2026 tournament is expected to bring women's cricket to unheard-of heights of expansion and prominence as cricket superpowers and emerging nations meet.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt called the upcoming World Cup "game-changing," and Beth Barrett-Wild, the tournament director, emphasized how it will revolutionize the image of women's sport.

Tickets and Fan Access

Overwhelming demand was evidenced by the first lot of priority tickets for the Lord's final selling out within one day. Supporters can now buy tickets for all matches and pre-register at womens.t20worldcup.com.