England have confirmed Jofra Archer in their provisional 15-man squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February to March. The announcement also revealed Josh Tongue’s inclusion, as the selectors look to blend experience with emerging talent ahead of the global tournament.
The news was unveiled alongside the naming of England’s T20I and ODI squads for next month’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. While Archer is included in the World Cup squad, he will not join the Sri Lankan tour as he continues his rehabilitation with the England medical team following a left-side strain sustained during the third Ashes Test in Adelaide earlier this month. Tongue, meanwhile, earns his maiden T20I call-up, featuring in both the Sri Lanka tour and the World Cup plans. Brydon Carse is selected for the T20I tour squad but is not part of the provisional World Cup contingent.
Eight players from the 2024 T20 World Cup squad have been retained, including current captain Harry Brook and former skipper Jos Buttler. The other returning members are Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, and Archer. Several notable absences from the 2024 squad include Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Hartley, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Reece Topley, and Mark Wood. In contrast, new additions highlight the rise of young talent, with Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Tongue, and Luke Wood earning selection.
England Provisional T20 World Cup Squad and Sri Lanka Tour Squad
| Player | Role | Squad(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Brook | Captain | Both |
| Rehan Ahmed | All-rounder | Both |
| Jofra Archer* | Fast bowler | T20 WC only |
| Tom Banton | Batsman | Both |
| Jacob Bethell | All-rounder | Both |
| Jos Buttler | Wicketkeeper-batsman | Both |
| Brydon Carse* | Fast bowler | Sri Lanka tour only |
| Sam Curran | All-rounder | Both |
| Liam Dawson | All-rounder | Both |
| Ben Duckett | Batsman | Both |
| Will Jacks | All-rounder | Both |
| Jamie Overton | Fast bowler | Both |
| Adil Rashid | Spinner | Both |
| Phil Salt | Wicketkeeper-batsman | Both |
| Josh Tongue | Fast bowler | Both |
| Luke Wood | Fast bowler | Both |
The ODI squad sees the return of Zak Crawley, recalled for the first time since December 2023, while Will Jacks rejoins both white-ball squads after missing the New Zealand tour in October. England’s Sri Lanka tour features three ODIs and three T20Is, providing crucial preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup.
The ODIs will be played at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on January 22, 24, and 27. The action then moves to Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy for T20Is on January 30, February 1, and February 3. England will open their T20 World Cup campaign on February 8 against Nepal in Mumbai, with the tournament itself beginning on February 7.