In what could be a historic turning point for women’s cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly on the verge of expanding the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 to a record 16-team format — the biggest ever in the tournament’s history. Sources close to ICC officials confirmed that high-level discussions are underway, with a proposal to increase the number of participating nations from the current 10 to 16, in a move aimed at accelerating the global growth of women’s cricket.
The dramatic expansion plan comes after the resounding success of the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, which drew unprecedented viewership and showcased the growing competitiveness of emerging teams like Thailand and Ireland. An ICC insider revealed, “Women’s cricket is booming, and there’s a clear appetite for more nations to compete on the biggest stage. Expanding the World Cup will give Associate and smaller Full Member countries a chance to develop faster and inspire millions of girls worldwide.”
If finalized, the 16-team format would mirror the recent changes to the men’s T20 World Cup, signaling the ICC’s commitment to achieving parity in opportunities for women’s and men’s cricket. The proposed overhaul would feature a longer tournament with a new group-stage structure and potentially more double-headers to accommodate the additional matches — promising fans even more action-packed days of world-class cricket.
Social media has exploded with excitement over the leaked plan, with hashtags like #T20WC2026 and #WomenCricketRising trending across platforms. Fans from emerging cricket nations, including Papua New Guinea, Scotland, and the Netherlands, have expressed hope that their teams could now dream of a World Cup berth, bringing fresh talent and diversity to the tournament.
However, some former players and analysts have raised concerns about whether the expanded format could lead to too many one-sided matches, potentially diluting the quality of competition. Former England captain Charlotte Edwards cautioned, “It’s a fantastic idea for the game’s growth, but the ICC must ensure there are enough resources and fixtures in the lead-up so these teams can be competitive and not just make up the numbers.”
The ICC is expected to announce its final decision before the end of the year, giving national boards time to plan qualification pathways and development programs.
Will the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 mark the dawn of a truly global tournament — or will the expansion bring new challenges? Cricket fans everywhere are watching closely.