England squad for T20 World Cup 2026 reflects a clear reset after a bruising Ashes campaign, with selectors prioritising role clarity, bowling depth and tournament-specific impact over reputation.
Several high-profile calls have defined the announcement, most notably the omission of established names and the inclusion of players seen as better suited to subcontinent conditions. England’s will be one of the most talked about from the T20 World Cup 2026 squads.
England squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Harry Brook (c), 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
Liam Livingstone Ignored As England Reshape Middle Order
One of the most striking decisions is the omission of Liam Livingstone. Despite being a regular feature in England’s white-ball setup over recent years, Livingstone has been left out as England look to rebalance their middle order.
The management appears to have favoured players who offer either greater consistency against spin or more defined all-round roles, particularly with conditions in Sri Lanka and India expected to reward control and adaptability rather than raw power alone.
Jamie Smith Dropped After Difficult Ashes
Jamie Smith is another notable omission. While red-ball form is not the primary metric for a T20 World Cup, Smith’s struggles during the Ashes, both with the bat and behind the stumps, seem to have weighed heavily on the selectors’ minds.
Despite scoring a rapid 60 in his most recent T20 appearance earlier in the year, workload concerns and a prolonged dip in form have resulted in England moving on from him for the tournament.
Josh Tongue Earns Surprise Recall
Josh Tongue’s selection is the most eye-catching inclusion. Uncapped in white-ball internationals, Tongue has impressed selectors with his recent red-ball performances and his ability to strike regularly.
Having finished as the leading wicket-taker in last season’s Hundred, Tongue offers England pace, bounce and wicket-taking threat, qualities England appear keen to prioritise as they build a bowling attack capable of making inroads even on flatter surfaces.
Archer Gamble Highlights England’s Bowling Focus
England have also taken a calculated risk by including Jofra Archer despite his ongoing recovery from a side strain. With Brydon Carse effectively named as cover, the squad underlines England’s intent to enter the tournament with a high-impact pace unit if fitness permits.
Overall, the England squad signals a shift towards flexibility, bowling depth and tournament-specific roles as Harry Brook prepares to lead his first T20 World Cup campaign.
For schedule, venues and latest updates, see our T20 World Cup 2026 news page.
