The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is just days away, with the tournament kicking off on 7 February 2026 across India and Sri Lanka, and the final scheduled for 8 March 2026. A total of 20 international cricket teams have qualified and announced their 15-member squads, setting the stage for a thrilling global event.
📅 Tournament Overview
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Hosts: India & Sri Lanka
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Dates: 7 February – 8 March 2026
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Teams: 20 national sides divided into 4 groups
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Format: Group stage → Super 8s → Semifinals → Final
🏆 Participating Teams & Squads (Group-wise)
Group A
India (Defending Champions)
Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.
USA
Captain: Monank Patel
Squad: Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.
Namibia
Captain: Gerhard Erasmus
Squad includes: Zane Green, Bernard Scholtz, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Ben Shikongo, Max Heingo.
Netherlands
Captain: Scott Edwards
Squad includes: Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen.
Pakistan
Captain: Salman Ali Agha
Squad: Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman, Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub.
Group B
Australia
Captain: Mitchell Marsh
Features: Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, Matthew Short, Pat Cummins.
Sri Lanka (Co-hosts)
Key players: Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Charith Asalanka.
Zimbabwe
Captain: Sikandar Raza (confirmed squad list pending official release).
Ireland
Captain: Paul Stirling
Squad details released by governing board.
Oman
Captain: Jatinder Singh
Key Pacific team competing strongly.
Group C
England
Captain: Harry Brook
Star players: Ben Duckett, Reece Topley – squad officially unveiled.
West Indies
Captain: Shai Hope
Squad includes: Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Quentin Sampson.
Italy (T20 World Cup Debutants)
Making historic first appearance on the world stage.
Nepal
Rising Asian side with T20 specialists.
Scotland (Replaced Bangladesh)
Captain: Richie Berrington
Added to the tournament after Bangladesh’s withdrawal over travel concerns.
Group D
South Africa
Captain: Aiden Markram
Strong bowling and batting core confirmed.
New Zealand
Captain: Mitchell Santner
Balanced squad with experienced All-Stars.
Afghanistan
Captain: Rashid Khan
Squad features Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammad Nabi and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Canada
Key North American team, looking to upset higher-ranked opponents.
UAE
UAE squad includes dynamic young players and seasoned pros.
💫 Key Storylines to Watch
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India aims to defend its title after winning the last edition and target a third T20 World Cup crown.
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Italy enters the tournament for the first time in history.
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Scotland replaced Bangladesh in Group C following a withdrawal over travel concerns, adding unexpected competition.
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USA and Canada represent growing cricket markets, boosting the sport’s global presence.
🌍 Conclusion
The T20 World Cup 2026 is poised to be one of the most exciting editions yet, with 20 teams from around the world showcasing their best squads on the biggest stage of short-format cricket. From defending champions India to debutants like Italy, fans are guaranteed high-octane action, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned as the road to the title unfolds from February 7!
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