Is India Ready to Face Pakistan, Australia, and South Africa in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup?

New Delhi, June 18 (NationPress) India has been placed in Group 1 for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup alongside Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, and two yet-to-be-determined qualifying teams. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 12 to July 5 in England.

This tenth edition of the championship will unfold over 24 days, commencing with the host nation, England, facing Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12. The venues for the tournament include Edgbaston, Hampshire Bowl, Headingley, Old Trafford, The Oval, Bristol County Ground, and Lord’s. India will kick off its campaign against Pakistan at Edgbaston on June 14, followed by a match against a qualifying team at Headingley on June 17.

India's encounter with South Africa is set for June 21 at Old Trafford, and they will also play against another qualifying team there on June 25. The group stage will culminate with a thrilling match against multiple-time champions Australia at Lord’s on June 28.

“World Cups are always special, but this one already feels different — it has the potential to be truly game-changing. 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. 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,” expressed England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.

This tournament will also represent the largest ICC Women’s T20 World Cup ever held, with 12 teams competing for the coveted trophy currently held by New Zealand. Group 2 features Sri Lanka, West Indies, and two other teams from next year’s global qualifiers.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, scheduled for The Oval on June 30 and July 2, with the grand final taking place at Lord’s on July 5. The ICC announced that the initial batch of priority tickets for the final sold out within 24 hours, and tickets for all matches are now available for pre-registered fans.

“The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup presents us with an unparalleled opportunity to transform a month of sporting excellence into a movement that will rewrite the narrative about women’s cricket,” said tournament director Beth Barrett-Wild.

“At iconic venues across the country, we’ll witness incredible, world-class athletes competing in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, who, with every ball bowled and run scored, will contribute to lasting change. It’s our chance to give women’s cricket, and women’s sport, the recognition it deserves,” Barrett-Wild added.