Harry Brook is looking to emulate the success of Jos Buttler in 2022 by captaining England to T20 World Cup glory.
The new white-ball captain faces his first major leadership test, and hopes are high given the strength possessed by the two-time winners.
This edition of the tournament features 20 nations and is being hosted in India and Sri Lanka, so expect packed houses and lively atmospheres from the very first match to the final itself.
Here is our full tournament preview, and you can check out all the latest ICC T20 World Cup betting odds available on NetBet.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Groups
Group A – India, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan, USA
Group B – Australia, Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe
Group C – England, Italy, Nepal, Scotland, West Indies
Group D – Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa UAE
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
Feb 7-20 | Group stage
Feb 21-March 1 | Super 8 Stage
March 4-5 | Semi-Finals
March 8 | Final
Who are the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 favourites?
Defending champions India are red-hot favourites with home advantage, while Australia, England and South Africa are tipped to be their main challengers. Afghanistan are always dark horses, especially in subcontinent conditions, which suit their world-class spin department.
Who is in England’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad?
Star batsman and captain Brook has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, with England entering the World Cup on the back of a 3-0 series win over joint-hosts Sri Lanka.
The batting unit is seriously eye-catching, with Phil Salt and Buttler at the top of the order, followed by the likes of Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton and Ben Duckett.
Of course, Bethell is also part of a formidable collection of all-rounders, which includes Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton and Rehan Ahmed.
Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid are the premier bowlers, while Josh Tongue and Luke Wood help provide essential depth.
England’s 15-man squad: Brook (captain), Ahmed, Archer, Banton, Bethell, Buttler, Curran, Dawson, Duckett, Jacks, Overton, Rashid, Salt, Tongue, Wood.
Feb 8 (09:30) – England vs Nepal
Feb 11 (13:30) – England vs West Indies
Feb 14 (09:30) – England vs Scotland
Feb 16 (09:30) – England vs Italy
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Outright Odds
*All odds are subject to change
India – 2.37
Australia – 4.50
England – 6.50
South Africa – 7.00
New Zealand – 13.00
Pakistan – 17.00
West Indies – 19.00
Afghanistan – 26.00
Sri Lanka – 41.00
Ireland – 401.00
USA – 401.00
Zimbabwe – 501.00
Nepal – 501.00
Scotland – 1,001.00
Netherlands – 1,001.00
Namibia – 2,501.00
Canada – 2,501.00
Oman – 2,501.00
UAE – 2,501.00
Italy – 2,501.00
Which players should I watch out for at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026?
Abishek Sharma: India’s destructive opener has a ludicrous record in T20Is. From 38 matches, he averages 37.05 at a strike rate of 194.74, hitting 88 sixes. Bonkers, really, and if teams do not get him early in the innings, it usually proves fatal.
Finn Allen: The free-scoring New Zealand batter is coming off a remarkable campaign in the Big Bash League with the Perth Scorchers. He helped guide the team to the trophy with sensational hitting at the top of the order, tallying 466 runs in total. Impossible to bowl at when in full flow, Allen strikes at 165.45 in T20Is.
Dewald Brevis: Another all-action batsman who just seems to get better and better. The South Africa star, likened to AB De Villiers, scored a century in the recent SA20 final for Pretoria Capitals, albeit in a losing cause. A strike rate of 171.32 in T20Is further highlights his absurd and match-winning talent.
Matheesha Pathrirana: We had to select a bowler, and Pathirana could shine for Sri Lanka on home soil after returning from injury. With an action akin to the legendary Lasith Malinga, which means he can generate slingshot pace, Pathirana should be a handful in all phases of the game.
Cooper Connolly: Australia’s new all-rounder could use this tournament as a platform for superstardom. Like Allen, he starred in the Scorchers’ BBL success, contributing 209 runs and 15 crucial wickets. His brand of left-arm spin has the potential to trouble all batters in subcontinent conditions, while runs at the back end are always a huge bonus.
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