India play Pakistan in their opening match of 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup as ICC announces schedule

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India face Pakistan at Edgbaston on June 14 to start off their 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign. The International Cricket Council announced the schedule for the tournament which starts with hosts England facing Sri Lanka on June 12. The 24-day long tournament will be held till July 5 next year and will consist of a total of 33 matches to be played across seven venues in England.

This is the first time that the Women’s T20 World Cup is featuring 12 teams, up from 10 last year. The teams are divided into two groups of six. Group 1 includes record six-times champions Australia, two-times runners-up South Africa, 2020 finalists India and Pakistan, as well as two teams from the Global Qualifier tournament. New Zealand, 2009 champions England, Sri Lanka, 2016 winners West Indies and the other two teams from the Global Qualifier are in Group 2. The top two teams from each of the groups advance to the semi-finals.

First time the Women’s T20 World Cup will be contested by 12 teams

“It’s going to be a huge moment for our sport and a brilliant opportunity to inspire young people and captivate fans across the country,” said England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in the ICC’s statement.

“Playing on home soil, for the biggest prize, against the best players in the world, it’s going to be unmissable. I can’t wait to be a part of it. The tournament will not only give fans across the nation a chance to see world-famous cricketers in action but will also affect lasting change by inspiring countless women and girls across the country to get involved with cricket,” she further said.

Four of the 12 spots will be decided via a 10-team qualification tournament that will be played earlier in the year. The remaining eight teams includes hosts England, the top five teams from the previous edition of the tournament which are defending champions New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, India and the West Indies, and the two highest placed teams on the ICC rankings outside of that – Pakistan and Sri Lanka.





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