Ireland and Scotland set for all-Celtic clash at Old Trafford as fixtures confirmed for June 12–July 5 tournament across England and Wales

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

The fixtures for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup have been finalised, with Bangladesh set to take on Netherlands in one of the key opening encounters, while hosts England will meet Scotland at Headingley in a historic first World Cup clash between the two sides on English soil.

The 12-team tournament will run from June 12 to July 5 across iconic venues in England and Wales, promising a month of high-quality international women’s cricket.

Group Stage Breakdown

Bangladesh and Netherlands have been placed in a challenging Group 1 alongside Australia, India, Pakistan and South Africa. Meanwhile, Ireland and Scotland join hosts England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies in Group 2.

Group 1: Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands
Group 2: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland

The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, scheduled for June 30 and July 2, with the final set to take place at Lord’s on July 5.

Key Matches to Watch

The tournament opener will see England take on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12. A day later, defending champions New Zealand begin their title defence against West Indies in Southampton, while Australia face 2024 finalists South Africa in Manchester.

India’s high-voltage clash against Pakistan is scheduled for June 14 at Edgbaston, adding another chapter to one of cricket’s most anticipated rivalries.

Among the standout early fixtures is England’s meeting with Scotland at Headingley on June 20 — the first time the two sides will face each other at a men’s or women’s World Cup on English soil. Ireland and Scotland will also contest an all-Celtic encounter at Old Trafford on June 13.

Bangladesh begin their campaign against tournament debutants Netherlands on June 14 at Edgbaston. They will then face Australia at Headingley on June 17, followed by a crucial group fixture against India at Old Trafford on June 25.

The final group-stage match will feature Australia taking on India at Lord’s, a contest that could have significant implications for semi-final qualification.

Netherlands Ready for Historic Debut

Netherlands captain Babbette de Leede expressed pride and excitement after her team qualified for their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

“Qualifying for our first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup fills us with an incredible sense of pride and excitement,” she said. “It feels extra special because, in many ways, it’s almost a ‘home’ World Cup for us. We’re hoping to see a sea of orange in the stands with our families, friends and fans.”

She added that stepping onto the global stage would mark a milestone for women’s cricket in the Netherlands and inspire young players to dream of representing their country.

Road to Qualification

The ICC had previously released the fixtures pending confirmation of the final four teams. Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland sealed their spots through the qualifying tournament in Nepal, completing the 12-team lineup.

Hosts England and the top five teams from the 2024 edition — Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies — qualified automatically. Pakistan and Sri Lanka secured their places based on their ICC rankings as of October 21 that year.

With traditional powerhouses, emerging teams, historic rivalries and debut appearances all part of the narrative, the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is set to deliver a landmark chapter in the continued growth of women’s cricket.