England have named their squad for the 2026 World Cup and with it, set the tone for a home tournament that feels as significant as any in the modern era of the game.
For the first time since 2009, an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be played on English soil. The venues are iconic, the anticipation is growing, and the expectation is unavoidable. England haven’t lifted a global trophy since 2017. This summer, there’s a growing consensus that has to change.
The Squad: England Name Their 15
At the centre of it all is The Blaze’s Nat Sciver-Brunt, appointed captain and preparing to lead England into her seventh T20 World Cup, this time, at home.
The full squad:
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze) – Captain
- Lauren Bell (Hampshire)
- Alice Capsey (Surrey)
- Tilly Corteen-Coleman (Surrey)
- Charlie Dean (Somerset) – Vice-captain
- Sophia Dunkley (Surrey)
- Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire)
- Lauren Filer (Durham)
- Dani Gibson (Somerset)
- Amy Jones (The Blaze)
- Freya Kemp (Hampshire)
- Heather Knight (Somerset)
- Linsey Smith (Hampshire)
- Issy Wong (Warwickshire)
- Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey)
The headline inclusion is Tilly Corteen-Coleman. The eighteen-year-old uncapped spinner made headlines in March as she picked up a £105,000 deal in The Hundred Auction. Her selection is a real statement of intent from Edwards, backing potential now on the biggest stage available.
She’s not alone in stepping into new territory. Both Lauren Filer and Issy Wong will experience a T20 World Cup for the first time, a sign of England’s evolving pace attack.
For all the fresh energy, the spine remains familiar. Danni Wyatt-Hodge is selected for her eighth World Cup, alongside familiar names Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones and Heather Knight.
Leadership and a New Direction
This is the first major tournament cycle fully defined by Charlotte Edwards as head coach and Sciver-Brunt as captain.
Edwards called selection “incredibly tough,” highlighting the depth now available in the domestic system, a shift that, for years, England have been striving towards.
Sciver-Brunt, meanwhile, leaned into the significance of the moment: leading England at a home World Cup, with the opportunity to create something that echoes both 2009 and 2017…
“I know how much winning in 2009 meant to the players and to Charlotte Edwards as captain, and being in the team under Heather Knight’s leadership for the 2017 ODI World Cup win was incredibly special. Now the aim is to do something similar with this fantastic group of players who I know are putting their heart and soul into achieving our goal, and that hard work will continue right throughout the summer as we start with games against New Zealand and India before that tournament begins.”
The Stage Is Set
Seven venues will host the tournament: Edgbaston, Bristol, Headingley, Lord’s, The Oval, Old Trafford and the Rose Bowl.
England open their campaign on June 12 at Edgbaston, but the build-up begins earlier with fixtures against New Zealand and India. The squad for the T20Is against those sides is the same as the World Cup squad.
The ODI squad vs New Zealand:
Nat Sciver-Brunt, The Blaze (Capt)
Em Arlott, Warwickshire
Lauren Bell, Hampshire
Alice Capsey, Surrey
Kira Chathli, Surrey
Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Surrey
Charlie Dean, Somerset
Sophia Dunkley, Surrey
Sophie Ecclestone, Lancashire
Lauren Filer, Durham
Mahika Gaur, Lancashire
Dani Gibson, Somerset
Jodi Grewcock, Essex
Amy Jones, The Blaze
Freya Kemp, Hampshire
Heather Knight, Somerset
Emma Lamb, Lancashire
Linsey Smith, Hampshire
Issy Wong, Warwickshire
Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Surrey
