Nepal set to host high-stakes Women’s T20 World Cup global qualifier

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier is set to get underway in Nepal from January 18 to February 1, 2026, with 10 teams competing for the final four spots in the marquee event. The ICC announced the full fixtures for the tournament on Wednesday.

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Ahead of the main competition, 10 warm-up matches have been scheduled on January 14 to allow teams adequate match practice. The opening warm-up fixture will see Bangladesh take on the Netherlands, while the final warm-up games will conclude later in the day as part of the preparatory schedule.

On the opening warm-up day, Zimbabwe will face Papua New Guinea, while hosts Nepal will take on Ireland in the morning fixtures. The afternoon matches will see Namibia play Thailand, followed by the United States going head-to-head with Scotland.

The qualifier will determine the final four teams for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be held in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5. India, who have already qualified, are placed in Group A of the main tournament alongside Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, and two teams that will progress from the qualifiers.

For the Global Qualifier, the 10 teams have been divided into two groups. Group A features Bangladesh, Ireland, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, and the United States, while Group B comprises Nepal, the Netherlands, Scotland, Thailand, and Zimbabwe.

Matches in Kathmandu will be played across two venues: the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground and the Mulpani Cricket Ground (Upper and Lower), as confirmed by the ICC.

The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super 6s stage, where they will compete in a round-robin format. The top four teams at the end of the Super 6s will secure qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Global Qualifier Fixtures

Wednesday, January 14 (Warm-up matches)

9 AM – Bangladesh vs Netherlands, TU Cricket Ground

9 AM – Zimbabwe vs Papua New Guinea, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

9 AM – Nepal vs Ireland, Lower Mulpani Cricket Ground

1 PM – Namibia vs Thailand, TU Cricket Ground

1 PM – USA vs Scotland, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

Friday, January 16

9 AM – Ireland vs Zimbabwe, TU Cricket Ground

9 AM – Papua New Guinea vs Scotland, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

9 AM – Netherlands vs Namibia, Lower Mulpani Cricket Ground

1 PM – Nepal vs USA, TU Cricket Ground

1 PM – Thailand vs Bangladesh, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

Sunday, January 18

9 AM – Nepal vs Thailand, TU Cricket Ground

9 AM – USA vs Bangladesh, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

1 PM – Zimbabwe vs Netherlands, TU Cricket Ground

1 PM – Ireland vs Papua New Guinea, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

Tuesday, January 20

9 AM – Papua New Guinea vs Bangladesh, TU Cricket Ground

9 AM – Zimbabwe vs Thailand, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

1 PM – Scotland vs Netherlands, TU Cricket Ground

1 PM – Namibia vs USA, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

Thursday, January 22

9 AM – Nepal vs Netherlands, TU Cricket Ground

9 AM – Ireland vs USA, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

1 PM – Bangladesh vs Namibia, TU Cricket Ground

1 PM – Scotland vs Zimbabwe, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

Saturday, January 24

9 AM – Thailand vs Scotland, TU Cricket Ground

9 AM – Papua New Guinea vs Namibia, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

1 PM – Nepal vs Zimbabwe, TU Cricket Ground

1 PM – Bangladesh vs Ireland, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

Monday, January 26

9 AM – Nepal vs Scotland, TU Cricket Ground

9 AM – USA vs Papua New Guinea, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

1 PM – Namibia vs Ireland, TU Cricket Ground

1 PM – Netherlands vs Thailand, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

Super 6s

Wednesday, January 28

9 AM – QB2 vs QA2, TU Cricket Ground

9 AM – QB2 vs QA1, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

1 PM – QA2 vs QB1, TU Cricket Ground

Friday, January 30

9 AM – QA1 vs QB2, TU Cricket Ground

9 AM – QA2 vs QB1, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

1 PM – QB2 vs QB3, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

Sunday, February 1

9 AM – QA2 vs QB3, TU Cricket Ground

9 AM – QA1 vs QB1, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground

1 PM – QB2 vs QA3, TU Cricket Ground