ICC confirms England v Scotland World Cup clash
Welcoming eight international teams to Leeds, the iconic Headingley Stadium is confirmed to host five matches in the women’s T20 World Cup 2026, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed the complete tournament schedule. After Bangladesh, Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland secured their spots from the T20 World Cup Qualifier in Nepal, the 12-team line-up has been finalised for what is set to be a historic and unforgettable summer for women’s cricket on English soil.
Poised to be one of the tournament’s standout fixtures, England will meet Scotland for the first time on home soil in a World Cup. The groups are set: Bangladesh and the Netherlands join powerhouses Australia, India, South Africa, and Pakistan in Group 1, with Ireland and Scotland rounding out Group 2 against hosts England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.
Record-time world champions Australia will kickstart the Headingley proceedings at the T20 World Cup against Bangladesh on 17 June. The six-time winners will also play the fifth and final group game at Headingley against Pakistan on June 23. The penultimate group clash could swing the semi-final race wide open, unfolding exactly one week before the high-stakes knockout fixtures at The Oval in London.
In their historic maiden women’s T20 World Cup appearance, the Netherlands – featuring Yorkshire batter Sterre Kalis – will meet India at Headingley in an afternoon game, following Australia’s group opener against Bangladesh. Kathryn Bryce will lead Scotland in their World Cup opener against the West Indies at Headingley on June 18, before Yorkshire star Rachel Slater teams up with her and Sarah Bryce for a high-octane clash with England two days later on June 20.
The Headingley fixture represents a historic milestone, marking the inaugural meeting between England and Scotland at any men’s or women’s World Cup held on English soil. “It’s probably the closest we will get to playing at home, so it’s going to be super exciting to be so close to home and give people from Scotland the chance to travel and watch and support the national team on this sort of stage,” Bryce added.
Article and Image courtesy of Siddharth Thakur @fvosid