T20 World Cup 2026 Group C: Complete Guide to Teams, Schedule, and Venues
The T20 World Cup 2026 promises thrilling cricket action, and Group C stands out as one of the most intriguing pools in the tournament. This group brings together cricketing giants England and West Indies alongside emerging nations Nepal and Scotland, plus the exciting debutants Italy. With matches scheduled across two iconic Indian venues, fans can expect a fascinating blend of established powerhouses and ambitious underdogs competing for supremacy.
Group C Teams and Dynamics
Group C features five teams with diverse cricketing backgrounds and ambitions. England and West Indies enter as clear favorites, both possessing formidable T20 pedigrees and explosive batting lineups. However, the group's narrative extends beyond these two heavyweights.
Nepal has emerged as cricket's most exciting rising force, recently demonstrating their capability by defeating West Indies in the format. Their passionate fanbase and improving skills make them genuine contenders to cause upsets.
Scotland, ranked 14th globally, secured their tournament place dramatically in late January following Bangladesh's withdrawal due to political tensions with co-hosts India. This eleventh-hour entry adds an unpredictable element to the group.
Italy makes their historic World Cup debut, representing the growing globalization of cricket. Their participation marks a significant milestone for European cricket development.
Venue Strategy and Tournament Structure
Interestingly, Group C teams will experience the most concentrated venue schedule of all tournament groups. All matches will be contested at just two legendary grounds:
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata: The iconic 66,000-seat stadium where West Indies will open their campaign against Scotland on February 7, exactly a decade after their memorable performances during India's last hosted World Cup.
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai: The high-scoring venue that will host crucial encounters including the potentially explosive England-West Indies clash on February 11.
This limited venue rotation presents unique challenges and opportunities for teams, requiring quick adaptation to contrasting pitch conditions and atmospheres.
Complete Match Schedule
The Group C fixture list promises compelling cricket throughout February 2026:
- February 7, 3:00 PM: Scotland vs West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- February 8, 3:00 PM: England vs Nepal at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- February 9, 11:00 AM: Italy vs Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- February 11, 7:00 PM: England vs West Indies at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- February 12, 3:00 PM: Italy vs Nepal at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- February 14, 3:00 PM: England vs Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- February 15, 11:00 AM: Nepal vs West Indies at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- February 16, 3:00 PM: England vs Italy at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- February 17, 7:00 PM: Nepal vs Scotland at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- February 19, 11:00 AM: Italy vs West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Team Squads and Key Players
England Squad: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.
West Indies Squad: Shai Hope (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.
Italy Squad: Wayne Madsen (captain), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge Kalugamage, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca.
Nepal Squad: Rohit Paudel (captain), Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla, Lokesh Bam.
Scotland Squad: Richie Berrington (captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal.
Key Matches to Watch
Several Group C encounters promise exceptional entertainment:
- England vs West Indies (February 11): A potential high-scoring thriller between two T20 powerhouses at the batting-friendly Wankhede Stadium.
- Italy's World Cup debut: All of Italy's matches represent historic moments for their cricket development.
- Nepal vs West Indies (February 15): A rematch of Nepal's recent upset victory, testing whether they can repeat their giant-killing act.
- Scotland's campaign opener: Their match against West Indies at Eden Gardens sets the tone for their unexpected tournament participation.
With compelling narratives ranging from established rivalries to historic debuts, Group C offers cricket enthusiasts a diverse and exciting tournament experience. The concentrated venue schedule adds strategic complexity, while the mix of cricketing cultures promises memorable contests as teams battle for progression to the knockout stages.
