Published on: Feb 3, 2026 2:56 pm IST|Updated on: Feb 3, 2026 5:25 pm IST
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is just 4 days away. The tournament, comprising 20 teams, is all set to get going from February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. The 20 teams have been divided into 4 groups of 5 teams, namely A, B, C, and D. In this post, we will be discussing the four teams of Group A and their preparation for the spectacle event. India, USA, Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands are the 5 teams in Group A of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Let’s break down the preparations of all these 5 teams.
ICC T20I Ranking: 1 Best Performance: Champions in 2007, 2024
We will start with the reigning and two-time champions, India. The Indian team is the co-host of this edition of the T20 World Cup and among the favorites to win the title. History suggests that the reigning champion has never defended their title, but the squad India has compiled for this tournament seems like they won’t settle for less than a triumph.
Whether it’s batting or bowling, Team India has ticked all boxes perfectly, and their buildup so far has been nothing short of magnificent. Having not lost a single bilateral T20I series ever since winning the last edition of the T20 World Cup in 2024, Team India looks sheer dominant. It would be tough for the rest of the teams to stop India’s juggernaut, especially in home conditions.
India T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh
ICC T20I Ranking: 18 Best Performance: Super 12 in 2021
The African side, Namibia, is all set to feature in their fourth ICC T20 World Cup. In recent times, they have earned the stature of an unpredictable side that can produce an upset out of nowhere. Their best performance in the tournament came in their maiden appearance in 2021 in the UAE, where they beat Ireland to qualify for the Super 12 stage. That was their first win over a full-member nation.
In the following edition in 2022 in Australia, Namibia produced yet another upset. This time, they tamed the 2014 World Champions, Sri Lanka, but failed to progress to the Super 8 stages and got eliminated in the first round itself. The team does pack a punch, and on their day, they can produce upsets with sheer determination.
Namibia T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Gerhard Erasmus (C), Zane Green, Bernard Scholtz, Ruben Trumpelmann, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Malan Kruger, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Jack Brassell, Ben Shikongo, JC Balt, Dylan Leicher, WP Myburgh, Max Heingo. TRAVELLING RESERVE: Alexander Volschenk
ICC T20I Ranking: 4 Best Performance: Champions in 2009
After losing the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007 against their arch-rivals India, the Pakistani team bounced back strongly in the following edition in 2009 in England, where they defeated their Asian counterparts Sri Lanka at the home of cricket, i.e., the Lord’s cricket ground. Since then, the Pakistan side has featured in all editions of the T20 World Cup but never made it to the final stage.
Due to geopolitical tensions with India, Pakistan is scheduled to play all their games of this edition of the T20 World Cup in Colombo, and they should take advantage of this. Playing at a single venue should help their cause, as they will be able to read the conditions better than anyone. The Salman Ali Agha-led side is flying high after drubbing the mighty Aussies 3-0 at home right before the start of the marquee event. They are confident of doing well and are eyeing their second T20 World Cup triumph.
Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Salman Ali Agha (C), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (WK), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq
ICC T20I Ranking: 14 Best Performance: Super 8 in 2024
In their maiden T20 World Cup in 2024, USA produced a miracle by defeating the 2009 champions, Pakistan. That win gave them the tag of giant killers and also helped them progress to the Super 8 stages of the tournament. In their second T20 World Cup now, the United States of America would be hoping to do a double over Pakistan and somehow make it to the Super 8 stage for the second time in a row.
India and Pakistan are the favorites in this group. For now, Pakistan has boycotted their game against India, meaning the latter will get a walkover with 2 points, leaving Pakistan with a void. If the USA somehow gets the better of Pakistan on February 10 and wins at least two of their remaining three matches in the group, they could well be in the Super 8 for the second time in a row in T20 World Cup history. The future may not look bright for the USA as of now in this edition, but it is surely not heading into darkness.
USA T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Monank Patel (C), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane
ICC T20I Ranking: 15 Best Performance: Super 12 in 2022
The Netherlands is quite an experienced side when it comes to ICC events. They have competed in the 2009, 2014, 2016, 2021, 2022, and 2024 editions of the T20 World Cup, and this will be their 7th appearance in the marquee event. Over the years, the Netherlands have produced many quality games, including upsets against England in the 2009 edition and the famous one against South Africa in the 2022 edition when they denied them from entering the semis.
Their best edition came in 2022 when they upset South Africa in Adelaide during the Super 12 stage and guaranteed themselves a direct qualification for the 2024 edition. They have got a tough group, as both the non-associated ICC teams, USA and Namibia, in this group are also tough to beat. It would be interesting to see how the Netherlands copes with a chance to get through to the Super 8s with a fairly promising squad.
Netherlands T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Scott Edwards (C), Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Max O’Dowd, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar.
Tags: T20 World Cup 2026