LONDON: The race for the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has intensified as the group stage enters its decisive phase, with several teams still battling for the four available spots.
Hosts England, six-time champions Australia, India and West Indies remain unbeaten and are currently best placed to secure qualification, while a number of sides face must-win scenarios in their remaining matches.
Group A
Australia have once again underlined their status as tournament favourites, winning all three of their matches convincingly.
The six-time champions require just one victory from their remaining fixtures against Pakistan and India to confirm a place in the last four.
India are also firmly in contention despite suffering a defeat against South Africa. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side have four points from three matches and ideally need victories over Bangladesh and Australia to seal progression. However, if they lose one game and they would want South Africa to lose their remaining matches.
South Africa, runners-up in the previous two editions, are level with India on points after defeating Pakistan and India following an opening loss to Australia. They must beat Bangladesh and the Netherlands, that too with a good margin, to surpass India with a superior net run rate.
If India lose one of their games and South Africa win both of their games, then the latter will go to the semi-finals.
Bangladesh remain mathematically alive with four points after wins over Pakistan and the Netherlands. However, difficult clashes against India and South Africa await, meaning two big victories are likely necessary to reach the semi-finals. A single defeat could prove costly given their inferior net run rate.
Pakistan and the Netherlands have already been eliminated from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 after losing all three of their matches.
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Group B
Hosts England have enjoyed a perfect start with three wins from three matches and require just one more victory from their remaining encounters against West Indies and defending champions New Zealand to secure a semi-final berth.
West Indies are in a similarly strong position. Hayley Matthews’ side opened with an impressive win over New Zealand before edging past Scotland and Sri Lanka. Another victory, against either England or Ireland, will be enough to guarantee progression.
Defending champions New Zealand are facing an early exit after managing only one victory in three games. The White Ferns must win both of their remaining fixtures against Scotland and England and hope other results work in their favour.
Scotland are alive on paper, having just one win. They face Sri Lanka and New Zealand in their final two group matches, needing back-to-back victories and a significant boost to their net run rate to keep their hopes alive.
Sri Lanka’s campaign has been inconsistent, although their victory over defending champions New Zealand keeps them in contention. With matches against Ireland and Scotland remaining, they still have an outside chance of making the last four.
Ireland, meanwhile, have been officially knocked out after suffering three consecutive defeats.
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