The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially confirmed that Nepal will host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier, scheduled from January 12 to February 2, 2026. The tournament will see 10 teams competing for four slots in the main event, which will be held in England and Wales in the summer of 2026.
Among the qualified teams, Bangladesh and Ireland have secured automatic entry into the global qualifier due to their participation in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Thailand and host nation Nepal earned qualification through the Asia regional pathway, while the United States secured its place via the Americas regional qualifier.
The remaining five teams will be determined through ongoing regional competitions in Africa, Europe, and the East Asia-Pacific. Once confirmed, all 10 teams will be placed into two groups of five for a round-robin stage, followed by a Super Six phase. The top four teams from this phase will advance to the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.
The qualifier in Nepal will be the first-ever ICC women’s global tournament hosted by the country, marking a significant milestone in the development of cricket in the region. The event is expected to boost local interest and provide exposure to Nepal’s growing women’s cricket scene.
Meanwhile, the main event will take place from June 12 to July 5, 2026, featuring 33 matches across seven prominent venues, including Lord’s, Old Trafford, Headingley, Bristol, and Hampshire Bowl. The final is set for Lord’s Cricket Ground, promising a historic finish to the competition. The ICC aims to make this one of the most widely followed editions of the Women’s T20 World Cup yet.