The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced an all-female match officials panel for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, which will take place in England from June 12 to July 5. This means that all umpires and match referees in the tournament will be women.
This marks the fourth straight Women’s ICC senior tournament with an all-women panel of match officials. The 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa was the first competition with a panel of all female match officials, while the 2024 edition in Bangladesh followed suit. The 2025 Women’s World Cup in India became the first edition of the mega event to be played with a panel of only female umpires and match referees.
“This panel of match officials for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 reflects the ICC’s commitment to expanding the scope of representation to all facets of the sport. The ICC takes into consideration a comprehensive, holistic, and evidence-based account while assessing its sports officials and their decision-making performance.
“We are delighted to see the progress made by these officials and the elevated standards of officiating they demonstrated during ICC CWC 2025. As we prepare to deliver what will be the biggest women’s sporting event in the world, this selection will serve to elevate the meaning associated with the athletic spectacle,” said ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta.
Four Indians Included
The panel of 18 officials includes 14 umpires and four match referees that will oversee all 33 matches in the tournament. This includes four Indians (3 umpires and 1 match referee). Gayathri Venugopalan will officiate in an ICC tournament for the first time and have the company of Vrinda Rathi and Janani N. Meanwhile, GS Lakshmi is the only Indian match referee in the panel.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Match Official Panel
Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Anna Harris, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaaste, Candace La Borde, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Suzanne Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Jacquline Williams, Gayathri Venugopalan
Match Referees: Trudy Anderson, Shandre Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michelle Pereira.
