The International Cricket Council, ICC, has announced that the Women’s T20 World Cup will expand to 12 teams for the 2026 tournament in England and grow to a 16-nation competition for 2030.
The tournament started with eight teams in 2009, before rising to 10 teams from the 2014 edition.
Ten teams will take part in the 2024 tournament in Bangladesh in October, where Australia will aim to win a record-extending fourth successive title.
The increase in size could benefit Ireland and Scotland.
Ireland qualified in 2023 but have not made it to this year’s tournament, while Scotland will compete this year after failing to qualify last time.
The 2026 tournament will see England host for the first time since 2009, with the staging rights for 2030 yet to be awarded by the ICC.
At its annual conference in Sri Lanka the ICC also put the governing bodies of two Associate members – USA Cricket and Cricket Chile – formally on notice.
English (US) ·