England has officially announced its provisional squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. The team features a mix of experienced match-winners, rising young talent, and some bold omissions—making this one of England’s most talked-about World Cup squads in recent years.
With Harry Brook appointed as captain, England enters the tournament with a fresh leadership approach, supported by a powerful core of all-rounders, explosive batters, and a rejuvenated pace attack led by Jofra Archer.
England’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Announcement
England’s selection panel unveiled the 15-member provisional squad along with squads for their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. The biggest headline is the return of Jofra Archer, who has been recovering from a left side strain but is expected to regain full fitness before the tournament.
Meanwhile, fast bowlers Mark Wood and Brydon Carse have been left out of the World Cup squad, although Carse will take part in the Sri Lanka T20I series. Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith has also been excluded after struggling for form.
England Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Below is the complete 15-player group named for the marquee event:
England T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Batters | Harry Brook (C), Ben Duckett |
| WK–Batters | Jos Buttler, Tom Banton, Phil Salt |
| All-rounders (Batting) | Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks |
| All-rounders (Bowling) | Rehan Ahmed, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton |
| Bowlers | Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood |
Read Also: T20 World Cup Team India Player List 2026
Highlights from the Squad
Harry Brook Takes Over as Captain
Young batting star Harry Brook will lead England for the first time in a global tournament. His aggressive batting style and calm mindset have earned him trust as England looks to rebuild a strong T20 identity.
Jofra Archer Returns for Global Stage
Archer, one of England’s most dangerous T20 weapons, has been included despite missing the Sri Lanka tour due to rehabilitation.
- Expected to be fully fit by February
- Will spearhead the pace attack
- Supported by Josh Tongue and Luke Wood
His presence adds a huge boost to England’s bowling power.
Spin Department Led by Adil Rashid
England’s most successful T20I bowler, Adil Rashid, remains the backbone of England’s spin attack.
Supporting him are:
- Rehan Ahmed – young leg-spinner with all-round ability
- Will Jacks – hard-hitting batting all-rounder
- Liam Dawson – dependable left-arm spinner and lower-order contributor
This gives England strong spinning options for subcontinent conditions.
Jamie Smith and Carse Miss Out
Two major omissions stand out:
Jamie Smith
Despite his potential, the wicketkeeper-batter misses out after poor form. England instead prefers the in-form trio of Buttler, Salt, and Banton.
Brydon Carse
Included for Sri Lanka’s T20I series but not selected for the World Cup squad.
Mark Wood Ruled Out
Senior pacer Mark Wood is unavailable due to injury and will miss the entire tournament. His absence increases the responsibility on Jofra Archer and young quick Josh Tongue.
England’s T20 World Cup 2026 Fixtures
England has been placed in Group C and begins its campaign in Mumbai.
Group C Match Schedule
| Match | Opponent | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Match | Nepal | 8 February 2026 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 2nd Match | West Indies | 11 February 2026 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 3rd Match | Bangladesh | 14 February 2026 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 4th Match | Italy | 16 February 2026 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
England aims to begin strongly before taking on tougher opponents like West Indies and Bangladesh.
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Sri Lanka Tour Before the World Cup
Before the World Cup, England will play:
- 3 ODIs (22, 24, 27 January 2026) in Colombo
- 3 T20Is (30 Jan, 1 Feb, 3 Feb 2026) in Kandy
These matches will help fine-tune combinations before the global event begins.
Conclusion
England enters the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a sharp, balanced squad and fresh leadership. The return of Jofra Archer, the presence of experienced match-winners like Buttler and Rashid, and the rise of young talents such as Brook, Jacks, and Tongue create strong expectations for another deep World Cup run.
With power-hitters, versatile all-rounders, and quality spin options, England has built a squad capable of adapting to both India and Sri Lanka conditions — setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.
